Sheffield United have been successful in their compensation claim against West Ham United over the Carlos Tevez affair.

The Irons could now be forced to stump up as much as £30million after an independent Football Association tribunal ruled against them.

The Blades took the Hammers to the tribunal after claiming they were unfairly relegated at the end of the 2006/07 season.

The Yorkshire side argued that West Ham should have had points deducted after admitting to breaking two Premier League rules surrounding the use of Tevez and Javier Mascherano.

Instead, a Premier League arbitration hearing found the Irons guilty of acting improperly and withholding vital documentation over who owned the Argentina internationals and fined the club £5.5million in April 2007.

The Blades' subsequent appeal against the decision was thrown out by the High Court in July last year.

Today, however, chairman Kevin McCabe claimed victory at the third attempt.

"I can confirm that both clubs have been notified of the ruling. The arbitration panel has awarded in our favour," he said.

""The matter is still legally in process so I do not wish to comment any further until we have completed that process."

A statement issued on Sheffield United's official website also speculated that the "award could now pose a question as to what the Premier League will do".

West Ham, meanwhile, were remaining tight-lipped over the affair for the time being.

An Irons' spokesman told BBC's Radio Four: "We need to digest the full findings of the arbitration panel and will consult our lawyers on the next steps we might take before making any further comment."

The exact compensation figure will be set at a later date.

[Guardian-Series]

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