New evidence has sparked a joint inquiry by the Premier League and the FA into Carlos Tevez's transfer to West Ham in August 2006.
The latest twist hinges on information presented by the lawyer of Tevez's representative, Kia Joorabchian at the arbitration tribunal in April 2007 which fined West Ham £5.5 million.
On that occasion the London club were found guilty of sharing third-party ownership on Tevez's contract and were disciplined for this breach of Premier League rules.
The punishment was not as severe as it could have been, West Ham avoided a points deduction and therefore escaped relegation at the expense of Sheffield United.
The Blades have since lodged a compensation claim of £50 million for the revenue lost as a result of their relegation that season.
Sheffield United's claim was fortified by an independent tribunal in September 2008 ruling that Tevez was ineligible to play for West Ham for the whole of the 2006-07 season.
The Steel City club's case is galvanised once again by Joorabchian's lawyer, Graham Shear, claiming West Ham did not act on the original tribunal's findings immediately.
Shear said that West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury stated verbal assurance were still in place with his client despite the tribunal demanding such an agreement should be terminated immediately.
Lord Griffiths, chair of the first proceedings said, "If the Premier League had known what Mr Duxbury for West Ham was saying to Mr Joorabchian's solicitor following the commission decision, we are confident that the Premier League would have suspended Mr Tevez's registration as a West Ham player."
"We have no doubt that the services of Tevez were worth at least three points to West Ham over the season and were what made the difference between West Ham remaining in the Premiership and being relegated at the end of the season."
The Premier League and the FA have picked up on this and issued the following statement, "The joint inquiry will examine whether the conduct of West Ham United immediately after the independent disciplinary commission's decision of 27 April 2007 amounted to further breaches of Premier League or FA rules."
This is the latest crisis to hit the cash-strapped Hammers in recent times. As if the original tribunal or the Icelandic banking collapse's effect on team finances wasn't bad enough this enquiry could bring further disciplinary action against the club and individuals.
The East End team have been quick to issue their own statement, "West Ham United will co-operate fully with the joint inquiry convened by the FA and Premier League.
"We have acted in good faith throughout the various inquiries and investigations into this matter and fulfilled the undertakings given to the Premier League following the initial penalty.
"We have nothing to hide and will ensure that this is once again reflected in our evidence to the FA and Premier League."
The fresh turmoil comes at a time when Carlos Tevez's future at his present club Manchester United is under the microscope.
In order to turn the player's two-year loan deal into a permanent transfer the current World Club champions must pay £22 million. After Sir Alex Ferguson bolstered his strike force with Dimitar Berbatov in the summer he now appears reluctant to proceed with this payment.
Potential suitors for Tevez in this present transfer window include Real Madrid and United's super rich local rivals Manchester City.
This impasse is unsatisfactory to the man who looks after footballer's interests in England, PFA chief Gordon Taylor. Carlos Tevez being 'owned' by his management company, MSI Sports, and 'on loan' to Manchester United troubles the PFA man.
Gordon Taylor voiced these concerns to The Manchester Evening News, "From the moment Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano came over to West Ham it did not seem right. Third party signings are something to be worried about.
"United have paid good money to get him on loan, now they are being asked to pay a huge amount to buy him.
"The person who owns his economic rights will make a killing and that money is not staying in the game."
With on running legal cases and daily disputes over the direction of Carlos Tevez's future this case highlights the difficulties third-party ownership can present.
With the game attracting investors inevitably looking to make a financial gain from clubs and players a swift resolution to this matter would benefit all concerned. The Tevez case has been allowed to fester and blight all parties involved.
It remains to be seen if this latest investigation can tie up the loose ends, reach a sensible conclusion and set a precedent for any third-party ownership in the future.
