Hammers set to fight crippling Tevez verdict

West Ham were today preparing to fight an independent tribunal's ruling in favour of Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair.

The Hammers could face a crippling £30million bill but their lawyers are looking at ways to appeal against the decision, which they believe could set a dangerous precedent for football.

A West Ham spokesman said today: "We are digesting the report of the arbitration panel and will decide the next step once we have consulted with our lawyers."

One possible route would be to go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.

Another option for the club would be to reach a settlement with United before 2 October, when the compensation fee is due to be determined at a separate damages hearing.

The Championship club are demanding £30,396,897 and 32p in lost revenue, including £4m for Phil Jagielka, who was sold to Everton for that sum as a result of relegation.

Having already agreed to take points that would probably have seen the club relegated and Tevez was cleared to play, scoring the only goal against Manchester United on the last day of the season.

West Ham finished with 41 points and United, who went down with 38, then had to sell Jagielka.

The decision is a further blow for West Ham, who lost their main sponsor XL this month after the travel company went into liquidation.