Hammer Blow

Last updated : 29 April 2007 By @blades_mad1889

The Hammers were fined £5,500,000 last Friday after pleading guilty of irregularities found in the contracts of Argentinean duo Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.

But Blades boss Neil Warnock feels that the Irons were treated favourably compared to other clubs would have in a similar circumstance. "It is better to be decided on the pitch but I think if it was Sheffield United, Watford or Wigan I think there would have been points deducted and I think everyone knows that," he said.

"I think they have set a rod for their back now because you can do what you want now and not get any points deducted. I don't see how anyone can get points deducted now.

"I feel sorry for my old club Bury, getting kicked out of the FA Cup for a player they have made a mistake with. They [Bury] obviously don't employ the right lawyers."

In 1996-97 Middlesbrough were deducted points after being unable to fulfil their top flight fixture with Blackburn Rovers after an outbreak of flu swiped through the Boro camp, on this occasion the Riverside club were deducted 3 points.

Unfortunately for the North East outfit they were relegated from the Premier League, the three points deducted would have kept them in the top flight at the expense of Coventry City.

Bury were booted out of the FA Cup earlier this season despite beating Brighton & Hove Albion after fielding an ineligible player. Meanwhile AFC Wimbledon were also deducted points after the incorrect signature of Jermaine Darlington from Cardiff City.