Tuesday 28 September 2010

Image Rights Row Set To Explode At West Ham

This issue has been bubbling under for the best part of 12 months now but was picked up as a main story again by the Sunday Times at the weekend. It seems the club are still withholding image rights payments to players on the basis that the club might be liable to a bill from the Inland Revenue for tax evasion. And basically, this is just a glorified form of tax evasion that the ConDemns should nail pronto.

But I remember Sullivan or Gold using as an excuse that a player might clear off back to France between payment and the arrival of the tax bill, making it impossible for the club to recover the money. At the time I speculated on who the hopping frog might be, and it came down to one of Ilunga or Faubert. Though who would want to use either of their images is beyond me! Is there a product out there called Indolence?

Well, nobody can go anywhere for the foreseeable future, given the window has slammed shut and locked the entire squad in the fire sale that was supposed to be West Ham. Behrami may wander to the balcony and plead, "Oh Roma, Roma, where for art thou Roma" but it won't do him any good. He is stuck with his image rights at Upton Park come what may until January at least.

In any case, why can't a contract be drawn up, requiring the players to reimburse the tax bill should it arrive from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs? That's not so very difficult surely? It looks to me as if the club are holding on to the money because it suits the club to do so, not because of any genuine concerns. I suspect, for example, that Parker reached an agreement when that contract extension was signed.

It seems that McCarthy is particularly unhappy that the money hasn't yet come his way. No doubt, there was revenue generated when it looked as if he might be part of the South Africa squad for the World Cup. As for any other money due for McBenni's image rights, you have to wonder who would want to use his image exactly. Phat Farm perhaps?

What will Benni do if the club refuse to pay him? Go on strike maybe? But would anybody notice? How about a hunger strike?

7 comments:

Hammersfan said...

Anonymous, if you would like to resubmit your comment omitting the word "spastic" I will post it. The word "spastic" relates to disability and is not appropriate as a term of insult.

FarehamHammer said...

Would just like to thank you Fanno for publishing my reply to my comment on the media whores !.Believe it or not that is one of the few topics we disagree on..a brilliant blog ,keep up the good work !

Hammersfan said...

Cheers mate and thanks for your comments on the Org. If you fancy contibuting an article on here and being platformed on News Now, just submit via the email address on the right hand panel. Keep up the good work on the Org, it needs guys like you but, without paragraphing, I'd suggest you cut down the length of your posts. As one great block of text, it is hard to stay with it all the way through.

Not sure what more can be done to reignite the Org. It does need a controversial character or two with a sense of humour to kick start it again in my opinion. You weren't there when "Fanno" was lighting the blue touch paper. Before me, Hotshot threw the verbal punches. We were both banned and the site has been "restrained" ever since. Much better as a hornets nest in my opinion!

Anyway, as I said, I do value your opinion when I look in so keep it up!

FarehamHammer said...

Brother Fanno !.First and foremost thanking you for posting my reply to your rather 'savage' attack on one of my posts !.Yes we do differ as regards media whores ...but believe it or not that is one of the few topics that we DO disagree!.When i read your posts i have to have a quick check to make sure they're not one of my own lol !.Indeed it was yours truly who called for your return to the Org in Sundays post :Ring them bells Mooro !i said :Bring him home!,Bring him home!,bring Fanno back to the Org !.Del copied suite on Monday.The Org should be a site for ALL West Ham Fans ,a broad 'church' with different viewpoints.Come and join the likes of Brother Enfield &myself !as disciples of the truth!,come back to the Org !.However i would have to warn you that their is a militant element amongst the 'happy' clappers .One called 'world' wide Iron wished death on brother Enfield!.Yes im happy with our new signings ,the team has been srenghthened and is exciting,under extremely difficult circumstances...but i still have deep concerns about the club under G&S,im far from ready to sign on as a 'happy' clapper,im watching things carefully...very carefully.I thought your bit on the Boleyn Groun was brilliant!.Cheap seats!,we need a 60 000 staduim to take the club to the next 'level'!,family tickets!.Lets get real !.Selling the Boleyn Ground using the proceeds for real estate,renting the Olympic Staduim for peanuts in conjunction with the Newham Council(our taxes)funding their share.Why G&S have done a land grab that would of made Robert Mugabe proud !.As for image rights ,Benjamin needs every penny paying back fines !Tell me brother Fanno who owns Miz Brady;s image rights these days ?,Paul Peschido ?.Bloody impressive !,i wonder what size they are ?.We're more than a football club,we're a way of life !!COYI !!

Hammersfan said...

Careful Fareham! Some will see that post as a Fanno trick! They think I talk to myself over there! They thing I have a whole legion of alter egos marching like trolls across the internet. Beware, or they will mark you down as a Secret Fanno!

I'm off to bed! Night!

Anonymous said...

Disciples of truth my arse! Fareham you and Enfield have both backtracked more than George Michael is currently doing. You do show a lot of passion but you have talked a lot of rubbish on Gold & Sullivan. You do come across as a decent bloke though and I also agree that Hammersfanno1 should be allowed to return.

FarehamHammer said...

Backtracked ?!lol !.It was Pontitus Pilate who once said :"what has been said has been said,what has been written has been written,it is over "....NOT Fareham.I challenge you to show me ANY post of mine where i've endorsed Gold&Sullivan.I have made it quite clear i fear for OUR GREAT under Gold &Sullivan.What i DID say however was that in immensley difficult circumstances,they have done well to strenghthen our team.We have an exciting team and a much stronger squad than last season,i think one or two sides are going to take a pasting when playing us.So on that front it's no use denying the fact that they DID do well.However im still watching things carefully...very carefully.I fear for the club if we DON'T get the Olympic Staduim,im afraid the 'Messaihs' will sell as much as they can to recoup their cash and be off.I also wonder what G&S would do should Pablo Barrera set the PL alight and they we're to get a £10 million cash offer in the January transfer window.Surely these two West Ham 'fans' would turn the offer down...or would they maybe go for a quick return on their investment and sell ?.Yes im happy with the team and the quality of football,but that doesn't mean i've become a 'happy' clapper.Not by a long way.We're more than a football club !,we're a way of life !!COYI !!.