The bloke is a fookin' looney. "We sold a number of players to Sheffield United with contingencies. When they got relegated on the last day of the season we missed out on a substantial sum. So we're gonna sue West Ham's arses off too aren't we."

Is it West Ham's fault Sheffield were crap that season? Why doesn't he also sue all the teams that beat them.

In any case if anyone gets sued it should be the FA for failing to treat a Big Club(tm) the same as every other fookin' club in the league when it comes to irregularities.

This is a man who criticised Sky for not showing them enough.

Where will this situation end?

Warnock sueing 'cos he should have been a premiership manager.
20 sheff united players from past and present sueing for loss of earnings, bonuses etc.

And now bates jumping on board.

Whats next?

Fans sueing for lack of entertainment?

If Bates successfully sues then christ anyone can.

It's funny how it never gets mentioned that sheff united got relegated cos they lost 20 games that season, you'd think by reading this they we're an awesome side, relegated by a cruel injustice out of there hands.

What about those who put bets on West Ham to go down, can they sue?

It looks like everyone can if batesy can.

Whatever next? He does like the sound of his own voice does Ken.

He'll probably try to get legal aid.

west ham blatantly cheated by playing a player they werent allowed to play. They lied to the FA by saying yes he is our player when he was really owned by a 3rd party and that goes against premier league rules. They should have been relegated automatically as its similar to bury playing one of our players in the fa cup. The investigation into the situation was corrupt and a fine was ridiculous. It has since been stated that the correct punishment should have been a points deduction. So anyone who has been immediately affected by this situation should be allowed to sue.

I don't dispute that at all but whose fault is it West Ham were allowed to stay up? Whose fault is it Chesterfield effectively went unpunished? Anyone else caught cheating gets their medals stripped or title taken away. Teams who play ineligible players in the FA Cup get kicked out. The footballing authorities can reasonably be expected to do the same in all their competitions. We weren't unhappy because Chesterfield cheated; we were unhappy because they were allowed to get away with it.

The FA did not duly react to the West Ham irregularity so they're the ones who should be getting their arses sued off, not West Ham. And they should also get the 5.5m they fined West Ham confiscated if that were possible.