EU sports chief will not interfere in Tevez affair

The European Union's top sports regulator will not interfere in the row between Sheffield United and the English Premier League over the Carlos Tevez affair.

Sheffield United, relegated on the last day of the season, claim West Ham should be deducted points and demoted over their handling of the Argentina forward's transfer.

Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe said he would take the issue to the European Commission in Brussels today but a spokesman for EU Sports Commissioner Jan Figel said there was no possibility of the EU executive taking action.

"The meeting is taking place between Sheffield United and someone from our directorate about their Campaign for Fairness in Football," spokesman Frederic Vincent said.

"It has been made clear from the start by us that the Commission cannot and will not intervene in a national issue (Tevez affair)."

Figel is penning a strategy on how sport should be run across the 27-nation bloc which is due to be published next month. The paper will include all aspects of sport including transfers and players agents.

The Premier League holds an arbitration hearing next week, with Sheffield Utd claiming east London club West Ham should be docked points for breaking the transfer rules instead of just being fined £5.5m.