Premier League rules are tightening in response to the uproar over Carlos Tévez. Clubs will be required to provide all documentation to the league regarding transfers and ownerhship. Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore acknowledged that third-party ownership can't be completely stamped out, but the issue also will be taken on eventually. Clubs also will be limited to loaning out only one goalkeeper within the Premiership. Manchester United loaned out two goalkeepers, to Everton and Watford, leaving those clubs to start second-choice keepers in four games against United. The Guardian noted it wasn't just in Premiership matches that Manchester United opponents had to hold back their first-choice keepers, as Man U also played Watford sans Ben Foster in the FA Cup semifinal.
Scudamore swung away at the league's critics, saying that there was no favoritism in the Tévez situation. He also predicted that Sheffield United's expected £50 million commercial challenge won't go anywhere because previous court rulings have upheld the Premiership's handling of the case. Therefore, Scudamore said, Sheffield United will be unable to show that they have the right to be in the Premiership, something he believes that they would need to prove to be successful.
Meandwhile, West Ham haven't finished their close season shopping, even as the Kieron Dyer transfer foundered because Newcastle raised their demands from £6 million to £8 million at the last minute. Reading left-back Nicky Shorey and Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen are still the top targets. The Irons may wait till January if necessary to acquire the two players. Iceland international Gudjohnsen is reportedly a personal project of West Ham Chairman Eggert Magnusson, who also is an Icelander.
The season will kick off at Upton Park in just under 57 hours. Can't wait.
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