HAMMERS SET TO ESCAPE FA CUP SANCTIONS

The FA have asked the Premier League for the full findings of their enquiry after Carlos Tevez turned out in the FA Cup third-round win over Brighton.

The Hammers picked up £40,000, but lost in the fourth round to Watford, when neither Argentine played.

But, just as the Premier League held back from docking the Hammers points, the FA are set to avoid kicking them out of next season’s FA Cup. That will cause as much uproar as the ‘lenient’ stance in handing out a record £5.5 million fine when a points deduction would have relegated the club and cost a minimum of £30m.

Bury were kicked out of this season’s FA cup for fielding one ineligible player in one game, despite owning up to the error. But an FA insider said: “Generally, the disciplinary structure deals with events in each season’s competition. Bury were eliminated from this season’s competition and paid back their prize money.

In previous cases, such punishments have not been held over

An FA insider

“West Ham would have to pay back their prize money if found guilty, but it’s very doubtful they would be kicked out of next season’s competition.

“In previous cases, such punishments have not been held over.

“The FA asked, prior to the Premier League hearing, for all details and we are awaiting the file before deciding what to do.”