Hearn rages at ‘savage’ move
BARRY HEARN will go to court to stop Orient being forced out of business.
The government yesterday announced West Ham will be allowed to move to their new home in the Olympic Stadium in 2012.
And the Premier League have ruled out a review of their own go-ahead.
The stadium is a single tube stop from Orient's Brisbane Road ground.
Hearn said: "It's savage news, very disappointing. I feel this puts us out of business. We have to take legal action."
The League claim Hearn had favoured Tottenham's rejected bid for the venue.
the mirror
Government rubber-stamp West Ham's Olympic Stadium move
London mayor Boris Johnson has claimed that the decision to allow West Ham to take over the Olympic Stadium will prevent the venue becoming "a dust bowl" staging occasional athletics events.
The Government and mayor today gave their approval to a recommendation by the Olympic Park Legacy Company that West Ham be chosen as the future stadium tenant ahead of Tottenham.
The original plan had been for the Olympic Stadium to be reduced to a 25,000 venue to be the home of British athletics.
Johnson said the choice of West Ham would secure the stadium's future - and the fact it will retain the running track will ensure it remains a multi-sport venue.
"I am confident that West Ham will provide a secure future for the stadium which also sees its iconic design for the London Games retained for future generations to admire," said Johnson.
"Just two years ago it faced the prospect of becoming a dust bowl staging occasional athletics events but now we can look forward to a fantastic multi-use venue at the heart of the community, able to host football and other sports, as well as concerts and events specifically for local people and schools."
Johnson also promised Tottenham that he would do all he could to help them move to a new stadium.
He added: "The extremely thorough process to select a preferred bidder for the stadium attracted two outstanding proposals from two great London football clubs.
"I would like to reassure Tottenham Hotspur that we stand ready to support them with any plans they now want to take forward for their future stadium requirements."
The OPLC chose West Ham over Tottenham on the basis that their bid was a better match for the five criteria laid down. One criteria was for the stadium to re-open as quickly as possible after the 2012 Games, and Tottenham's plan was to demolish it and rebuilt a football-only venue.
Local government minister Bob Neill confirmed that he and sports/Olympics minister Hugh Robertson had both approved the recommendation.
Neill said: "This completes the first stage of this process and means that the Olympic Park Legacy Company are now able to enter into negotiations with the consortium comprising West Ham and the London Borough of Newham to agree a lease for the Olympic Stadium site on terms that are acceptable to Government and the Mayor of London and provide value for money to the public sector.
"We are delighted with the progress that has been made and very pleased we have reached this very significant milestone in determining the long-term legacy for the Olympic Park following the Games."
West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady was heavily involved in the club's bid and she was delighted to hear that the Hammers are now one step closer to being handed the keys to the stadium for the 2013-14 season.
She said: "I am pleased and proud the Mayor of London and Government have today endorsed the Olympic Park Legacy Company's recommendation that West Ham United and Newham Council be preferred bidder for the Olympic Stadium.
"I am grateful for their support and the clear recognition of the strengths of a financially strong, community-based bid that will do much for the regeneration of east London.
"I must also personally thank Baroness Ford and Andy Altman of the OPLC for the thorough and professional way they have handled this entire process. I look forward to working with them in the future and making their vision a reality."
Some West Ham fans have voiced their dissatisfaction at moving to a stadium with a running track around it, but Brady has promised to deliver the Hammers faithful a "spectacular" ground that they can be proud of.
"At West Ham, we have been entrusted with a great responsibility and the OPLC's unanimous backing will only inspire us further to make good on our legacy promises. In many ways, the hard work starts now. The starting gun has been fired and we are off and running.
"This will be an Olympic Stadium to make everyone proud, a multi-sports, multi-event arena that will be both a spectacular local and global attraction. We will not let anyone down."
Newham council, who partnered West Ham's bid, were also delighted with the news.
Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales said: "We are pleased the Government has recognised the strength of our bid, which is focused on guaranteeing community benefits for our residents and contributing to a meaningful legacy for east London, the capital and the country.
"We are working with our partners West Ham United on the commercial aspects of our joint bid and look forward to a handover of contracts later this year with the Olympic Park Legacy Company."
the mirror
Premier League dismiss Orient's stadium complaints
Barry Hearn was yesterday accused of changing his tune in the Olympic Stadium row.
West Ham’s proposed move into the east London venue after the 2012 Games received official Government blessing yesterday, but Leyton Orient chairman Hearn is threatening to take the issue to judicial review.
He is also considering legal action against the Premier League as clubs are only allowed new grounds if other sides nearby do not suffer.
Hearn has warned that Orient could go out of business if West Ham take over the Olympic Stadium.
However, the Premier League said his view had changed.
A statement read: “Full consideration was given to a letter written by Barry Hearn to the Premier League.
“In the letter Mr Hearn accepted Tottenham or West Ham would inevitably move into the Olympic stadium, while outlining his preference for Tottenham Hotspur.
“Mr Hearn enclosed a copy of a separate letter written to the Tottenham chairman in which he wished him ‘all the best for the move’.
“It is regrettable that Mr Hearn is now claiming that Leyton Orient had no input into the board’s decision-making process when their views, as expressed at the time by Mr Hearn, were given due consideration.
“Clearly the position currently being articulated by Mr Hearn in the media is at odds with his original submission.
"There is no question of the board’s decision being reviewed.”
the mail
Stoke boss Pulis: West Ham have bought a sicknote... buying Ba is a 'massive risk'
Stoke boss Tony Pulis believes Demba Ba is a ticking timebomb after West Ham agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal for the Senegal striker.
Ba’s £7.1million move to Stoke collapsed when he failed a medical because of a knee injury, and Pulis said he could not have continued in good faith.
‘If he’d been close to being OK we would’ve signed him,’ said Pulis, who has seen Ba, 25, score three goals in four games.
Down and out? Ba has been in stunning form following his arrival at Upton Park
Down and out? Ba has been in stunning form following his arrival at Upton Park
‘But the medical reports we had showed there was a massive risk. Luckily for him and West Ham, nothing’s happened.
'However, we could’ve lost him after a training session and the money Hoffenheim wanted was unreasonable.
the mail
Bristol City have signed West Ham’s former England Under 19 right back Jordan Spence, 20, on loan.
the mail
The Firing Line: Rob's job is under scrutiny... Latics' lack of goals could cost Martinez
It's not exactly uncharted territory for Roberto Martinez, but that doesn’t make his job any easier as his Wigan side prop up the Barclays Premier League table.
It’s been a difficult season for the Spaniard, who is finding it difficult to attract new players when the DW Stadium is half-empty every fortnight.
The Latics have bounced back many times already this season, most notably by winning at Tottenham following the 4-0 and 6-0 home defeats to Blackpool and Chelsea respectively.
Going down? Martinez's side have been woeful in front of goal this season
Going down? Martinez's side have been woeful in front of goal this season
But with his side amongst the lowest goal scorers in the Premier League it’s going to be a very difficult task to avoid relegation from here.
Elsewhere Avram Grant’s mini-revival at West Ham means for the first time this year he is not our favourite for the axe, while Steve Kean’s recent bad run of form suggests that his inexperience is starting to work against him at Blackburn.
Each week we bring you our latest chart of the managers under pressure, and those on Easy Street.
Here’s Sportsmail’s sack-race rankings - otherwise known as the Firing Line.
1
Wigan Athletic's manager Roberto Martinez
Wigan - Roberto Martinez
Wigan are not playing too badly but just can’t put away the chances they get, the lack of quality in attack may cost them their Premier League status. Desperately need to start scoring goals. UP TWO
2
Avram Grant
West Ham - Avram Grant
Grant’s Hammers have been on the up recently, much in part due to the emergence of Thomas Hitszlsperger. They are still in trouble but playing their best football of the season. DOWN ONE
3
Steve Kean
Blackburn - Steve Kean
That’s 10 goals conceded at Villa Park this season and it does nothing to help away fortunes under Kean. Just one win on the road since he took over and it’s a trip to Fulham next. UP FOUR
4
MICK McCARTHY
Wolves - Mick McCarthy
Looking good at home and the additions of Jamie O’Hara and Adam Hammill has added some real quality to the midfield. On an upwards curve but a tough test at home to Tottenham next. NON-MOVER
5
Houllier
Aston Villa - Gerard Houllier
Focused on securing survival after fielding a weakened team at Man City in the FA Cup. Playing it safe is perhaps not a bad thing but it shows he does not have too much faith in his squad. UP ONE
Carlo Ancelotti
6
Chelsea - Carlo Ancelotti
Credit to Carlo, David Luiz has turned out to be a real gem. He has had shaky moments but his positive contributions to a revitalised Chelsea cannot be ignored. DOWN ONE
7
Alex McLeish
Birmingham City - Alex McLeish
The owners once claimed he ‘wasn’t exactly Jose Mourinho’. This is true, unlike the ‘Special One’ Big 'Eck didn’t need a blank cheque book to defeat Arsenal in the Carling Cup final. DOWN FIVE
8
Roberto Mancini
Man City - Roberto Mancini
Has given up on the title after the draw with Fulham, but the real targets this year are Champions League football and to win a trophy. Mancini is bang on course to achieve both. UP ONE
9
Mark Hughes
Fulham - Mark Hughes
With 14 stalemates, Fulham have drawn half their Premier League games this campaign. Sparky had a similar record at Manchester City and you just wonder if he considers a win as a bonus. UP ONE
10
Newcastle: Alan Pardew
Newcastle - Alan Pardew
Newcastle look as good as safe and with Pardew’s side just three points shy of a possible Europa League spot, he may start taking gambles. Held out well with 10 men against Bolton. UP ONE
11
Steve Bruce
Sunderland - Steve Bruce
It’s a bizarre time to back a manager on a losing streak, but Sunderland have shown faith in Bruce by giving him a new deal. Now to avoid five consecutive defeats at Arsenal next. DOWN THREE
12
David Moyes
Everton - David Moyes
A season to forget for Moyes whose reputation is starting to taking a knock. Everton were awful in their exit to Reading in the FA Cup. Team spirit unusually low at Goodison Park. NON-MOVER
13
West Brom: Roy Hodgson
West Bromwich - Roy Hodgson
Two games, two draws and two late Carlos Vela equalisers. Hodgson has been brought in to get instant results though and he appears to be struggling to find a winning formation. UP ONE
14
Tony Pulis
Stoke City - Tony Pulis
Fuming after Vela’s offside strike denied Stoke a win against West Brom. But there are positives: John Carew has proved to be a top signing and Rory Delap can head as well at throw. DOWN ONE
15
Owen Coyle
Bolton - Owen Coyle
Should have grabbed more than a point against 10 man Newcastle, but Coyle seems to be getting the best out of Daniel Sturridge who just cannot stop scoring. Villa at home next. NON-MOVER
Harry Redknapp
16
Tottenham - Harry Redknapp
Despite not playing, it’s been a bad week for Spurs with Chelsea taking the initiative in the race for the Champions League. Wolves away next is hardly an ideal fixture to come back to. NON-MOVER
17
Ian Holloway
Blackpool - Ian Holloway
Ripped apart by Wolves who were not as wasteful as Spurs in front of goal. Credit must go to Holloway for his attacking approach but is he getting the team balance wrong? NON-MOVER
18
Liverpool: Kenny Dalglish
Liverpool - Kenny Dalglish
Defeat at West Ham was perhaps the worst the Reds have played since Dalglish’s return but all will be forgotten if they defeat Manchester United this weekend. Will Carroll be risked? NON-MOVER
19
Arsene Wenger
Arsenal - Arsene Wenger
And the wait for a trophy continues. The good news is there are still three chances of fixing that issue. The bad news is that Manchester United and Barcelona stand in the way. NON-MOVER
20
Sir Alex Ferguson
Man United - Sir Alex Ferguson
His team were hard done by in the defeat at Chelsea, but were also poor for the majority of the second-half. No first choice centre-backs for trip to Liverpool next, testing times. NON-MOVER
the mail
West Ham will prevent Olympic Stadium becoming a 'dust bowl' - Mayor Boris Johnson happy to approve Hammers bid
London mayor Boris Johnson has claimed that the decision to allow West Ham to take over the Olympic Stadium will prevent the venue becoming 'a dust bowl' staging occasional athletics events.
The Government and mayor today gave their approval to a recommendation by the Olympic Park Legacy Company that West Ham be chosen as the future stadium tenant ahead of Tottenham.
The original plan had been for the Olympic Stadium to be reduced to a 25,000 venue to be the home of British athletics.
Johnson said the choice of West Ham would secure the stadium's future - and the fact it will retain the running track will ensure it remains a multi-sport venue.
'I am confident that West Ham will provide a secure future for the stadium which also sees its iconic design for the London Games retained for future generations to admire,' said Johnson.
'Just two years ago it faced the prospect of becoming a dust bowl staging occasional athletics events but now we can look forward to a fantastic multi-use venue at the heart of the community, able to host football and other sports, as well as concerts and events specifically for local people and schools.'
Johnson also promised Tottenham that he would do all he could to help them move to a new stadium.
He added: 'The extremely thorough process to select a preferred bidder for the stadium attracted two outstanding proposals from two great London football clubs.
'I would like to reassure Tottenham Hotspur that we stand ready to support them with any plans they now want to take forward for their future stadium requirements.'
West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady was heavily involved in the club's bid and she was delighted to hear that the Hammers are now one step closer to being handed the keys to the stadium.
She said: 'I am pleased and proud the Mayor of London and Government have today endorsed the Olympic Park Legacy Company's recommendation that West Ham United and Newham Council be preferred bidder for the Olympic Stadium.
'I am grateful for their support and the clear recognition of the strengths of a financially strong, community-based bid that will do much for the regeneration of east London.
'At West Ham, we have been entrusted with a great responsibility and the OPLC's unanimous backing will only inspire us further to make good on our legacy promises. In many ways, the hard work starts now. The starting gun has been fired and we are off and running.
'This will be an Olympic Stadium to make everyone proud, a multi-sports, multi-event arena that will be both a spectacular local and global attraction. We will not let anyone down.'
The OPLC chose West Ham over Tottenham on the basis that their bid was a better match for the five criteria laid down. One criteria was for the stadium to re-open as quickly as possible after the 2012 Games, and Tottenham's plan was to demolish it and rebuilt a football-only venue.
Local government minister Bob Neill confirmed that he and sports/Olympics minister Hugh Robertson had both approved the recommendation.
Neill said: 'This completes the first stage of this process and means that the Olympic Park Legacy Company are now able to enter into negotiations with the consortium comprising West Ham and the London Borough of Newham to agree a lease for the Olympic Stadium site on terms that are acceptable to Government and the Mayor of London and provide value for money to the public sector.
'We are delighted with the progress that has been made and very pleased we have reached this very significant milestone in determining the long-term legacy for the Olympic Park following the Games.'
Leyton Orient chairman Barry Hearn insisted the approval puts his club 'out of business.'
He told talkSPORT: 'It's savage news, very disappointing. No one, in or outside the government, has asked one single question about how this will affect Leyton Orient. The news that they’ve rubber stamped it without asking anything is staggering to me.
'I don’t think that the due process has been followed. There is a Premier League rule and a football league rule in black and white, which says quite clearly that they will not a sanction the move of a club nearer to another club if it has an adverse effect on the resident club. I think this puts us out of business.'
Hearn added that he would seriously consider legal action. He said: 'We have to take legal action. We have to defend ourselves. I’ve got to consider both judicial review and legal action against the Premier League. We’ve got the top judicial review lawyers in the country and if they recommend a judicial review then we have no choice.'
The Premier League released a statement saying they previously had communications with Hearn about the issue and that he had told them he had favoured a rival bid for the stadium by Tottenham.
The statement said: 'The board came to the decision that on balance it would be unreasonable to prevent either Tottenham Hotspur or West Ham United from moving to the Olympic Site as long as they satisfied all of the relevant criteria stipulated by appropriate Olympic and statutory authorities.
'With particular reference to Leyton Orient, full consideration was given to a letter written by its chairman, Barry Hearn, to the Premier League prior to the board meeting at which the decision was taken.'
The letter outlined Hearn's preference for Tottenham, said the statement, and that he had enclosed a copy of a separate letter written to Spurs chairman in which he wished him 'all success for the prospective move.'
'It is regrettable that Mr Hearn is now claiming that Leyton Orient had no input into the board's decision making process when their views, as expressed in writing at the time by Mr Hearn, were given due consideration. Clearly the position currently being articulated by Mr. Hearn in the media is at odds with his original submission.
'There is absolutely no question of the board's decision being reviewed.'
the telegraph
Grant set for surprise move back to Blues
Chelsea are considering an approach for Avram Grant to become their new director of football as part of a significant shake-up of the club's staff this summer.
Grant's future at West Ham will be reviewed at the end of this season and even if he avoids relegation, it is understood that it is far from certain he will stay, despite signing a four-year deal last June.
West Ham, who came close to sacking Grant and replacing him with Martin O'Neill in January, may decide that a parting of the ways is best for everyone given the difficulties of this campaign. Returning to Chelsea -- who offered Grant a job after he left Portsmouth -- would allow the 56-year-old to remain in English football.
With the future of manager Carlo Ancelotti also in doubt, Chelsea are considering a number of options as to how the club will be run after the end of this season. Grant is not in the running to become the next manager.
the telegraph
Chelsea return would take some front from Avram Grant - and he has plenty of that
It was less than six months after appointing Avram Grant as Chelsea manager that Roman Abramovich realised he had made a big mistake.
Chelsea return would take some front from Avram Grant - and he has plenty of that
The FA Cup defeat away to Barnsley in March 2008 — more than the Champions League final defeat by Manchester United at the end of that season — convinced Abramovich that as much as he liked Grant he was not the man to manage his club.
After that loss at Oakwell, it’s understood that Abramovich resolved to make yet another change at the end of the season. Astonishingly, that meant that even if Grant had beaten United in Moscow he would have been sacked.
While Grant was stunned by the decision, and while for some time there was a dispute between him and the club over his compensation, it did not harm his strong relationship with Abramovich, who had through his contacts helped bring the Israeli to English football in the first place.
Grant has, more than once, been offered a way back to Chelsea. The two men speak often and dine together on occasions.
It’s a source of mystery to many as to why powerful men such as Abramovich find Grant, who is said to be charming company as well as extremely knowledgeable on football, someone to whom they continue to offer jobs despite his failure to convince the rest of the game of his worth.
the telegraph
"David Sullivan and David Gold to increase their stake in West Ham rather than search for outside investor.
David Sullivan and David Gold are to increase their stake in West Ham United from 62 per cent to 82 per cent at the end of the season.
The club’s co-owners are planning on investing between £20 million and £40 million in West Ham in May, dependent on whether the club is in the Premier League or Championship, with a large chunk of that cash going on acquiring more shares.
The pair have a three-year option on buying the remaining stake of Straumur, the bank which inherited the club following the collapse of the business empire of former owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson.
As well as buying shares Sullivan and Gold will put in more money as working capital and to reduce the club’s debts, which includes making payments to Sh*ffield United following the Carlos Tévez affair. “It keeps the club afloat and pays off debt,” a club source said
It comes as West Ham’s move to the Olympic Stadium was given formal approval on Thursday by the government and the mayor of London.
That announcement was expected and will not head off the prospect of legal action from Leyton Orient who were involved in a spat with the Premier League on Thursday. Both sides released statements with the league refuting claims from Orient chairman Barry Hearn that he had not been fully consulted"
bbc sport
Olympic 2012 stadium: Taxpayer 'may foot West Ham bill'
Taxpayers in London's poorest borough would be liable for a £40m loan to help West Ham United move into the Olympic Stadium if the venture collapsed, its chief executive has said.
In January Newham Council used its credit rating to arrange a Treasury loan on more favourable terms than the football club could have secured.
That financed West Ham's bid, which defeated Tottenham Hotspur in the race to inhabit the stadium after the 2012 Games.
At the time the loan was agreed, the council refused to say whether taxpayers would be responsible for the debt if West Ham - currently threatened by relegation from the Premier League - were unable to repay it.
It said this was because of "commercial sensitivity".
Councillors due to vote on the plan were not told either, with 10 large background papers thought to detail the liability withheld until minutes before the vote.
One councillor spoke out anonymously, saying the public should be told, while a district auditor said "alarm bells" should ring.
It was eventually passed unanimously by the council, where all 60 sitting councillors are Labour.
Continue reading the main story
ANALYSIS
* West Ham United and Newham Council have set up a company to own the stadium
* Newham Council has arranged a £40m loan to fund it
* West Ham United's gate receipts will help the stadium company pay off the loan
* The stadium company will also be funded by athletics events and concerts at the venue
* If the funds from West Ham United and other events dry up, Newham Council must repay the £40m
Chief executive Kim Bromley-Derry, in an interview with the BBC, has admitted for the first time that taxpayers would be liable for the loan.
Asked if the council would have to repay the money if West Ham folded, he said: "On a theoretical perspective that's true. But we have worked out the worst case scenario and we are confident that's not going to happen.
"We have been working with KPMG on the business case. We are confident there is no risk to the local council taxpayer."
Mr Bromley-Derry said the authority considered the possibility of the club suffering a double relegation.
Newham Council, the Olympic borough, is the most deprived authority in London.
Anita Shields, an auditor who works with other local authorities to ensure financial transparency, said: "Obviously the risk to the taxpayer should have been mentioned at the start.
West Ham players Relegation-threatened West Ham are second from bottom of the Premier League
"It is the taxpayers who could be footing the bill.
"Probably they were hoping nobody was going to raise these questions."
She added: "Why did they not come forward about it at the start? It's big money - the risk is there."
Newham Council has finalised £100m of cuts over three years, the highest figure in London. Some 1,600 staff could be made redundant.
The council has previously said the loan did not affect front line services.
Mr Bromley-Derry conceded a loan could have protected jobs and meant the need for less severe cuts.
He said: "We could borrow money to do other things, there's no doubt .
"If we borrowed money to bail out the revenue budget it would be a one-off and there would be a cost to it."
WHFC jobs 'issue'
The council said it was currently unable to say how long the loan would take to pay back.
Mr Bromley-Derry also admitted it was "an issue" that council officers instrumental in financing West Ham's stadium bid could later move into well paid jobs with the club.
Wasteland area in Newham, 2006 Newham is one of the poorest areas in the UK
He said: "We are aware that may be an issue. If it happens to ex-employees, well that's fine, there's not a lot I can do about that.
"In terms of current employees it's not something I would expect to see."
He added it was likely Newham Council staff would get paid roles at the company they established to own the stadium.
Mike Law, a former Newham Labour councillor, said: "If Newham staff later wind up on nice salaries at West Ham serious questions will need to be asked.
"The stadium producing a profit after the loan has been repaid in 10 to 20 years time is cold comfort to the council employee who is laid off today.
"Yet again, it's the people of one of the country's most deprived boroughs paying for the extravagances of others."
West Ham United were unavailable for comment.
Zenit St Petersburg are ready to take Arsenal striker Andriy Arshavin back to Russia in the summer.
talkSPORT
Promotion-chasing Nottingham Forest have failed in a bid to take midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker on loan from Aston Villa.
: Daily Mirror
Manchester City and Tottenham are in the hunt for Udinese's Ghanaian international striker Kwadwo Asamoah, who played in all his country's games at last year's World Cup.
metro
Liverpool are lining up a move for Genoa's 24-year-old defender Domenico Criscito to solve their left-back problem.
caughtoffside
Birmingham's Barry Ferguson played 60 minutes of their Carling Cup final win over Arsenal with a broken rib.
Full story: Daily Mail
West Ham's co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold will increase their stake in the club from 62% to 82% at the end of the season.
Daily Telegraph
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti says he does not mind if £50m striker Fernando Torres does not score goals as long as he continues to contribute to the team effort.
The Sun
Manchester United's Ryan Giggs says he puts his 20-year career down to a conscious decision to avoid the celebrity lifestyle at the start of his career.
Daily Mirror
Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon is to see a specialist in Sweden next week about his on-going knee problem.
Daily Mail
Gary Neville has won planning permission for a Teletubby-style eco-home largely built underground on moorland outside Bolton.
Manchester Evening News
Former Barcelona striker Hristo Stoichkov has been appointed Bulgaria's honorary consul in the Spanish city by the Bulgarian prime minister.
The Guardian
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