WEST Ham have written to their fellow Barclays Premier League clubs in a bid to stave off compensation claims from Sheffield United and Kia Joorabchian over the Carlos Tevez affair.

The Irons were fined a total of £5.5million after admitting to breaking two league rules, U18 and B13, over the illegal "third party" signings of the Argentine forward and compatriot Javier Mascherano in August 2006.

Tevez's goals then played a vital role in keeping the Hammers in the Premier League last season at the expense of the Blades, who have since launched a £30million claim for the cost of being relegated to the Coca-Cola Championship.

Meanwhile Joorabchian, Tevez's represenative, has also begun High Court proceedings claiming he is owed £7.1million in transfer fees for Tevez by the East End club.

Now, according to a report in The Times, West Ham secretary Peter Barnes has e-mailed the other 19 Premier League clubs effectively asking them to admit they were unaware of the existence of rule U18, which prevents clubs from using players owned by influential third parties.

"Our legal team have asked me to see whether you would be prepared to assist with a writen witness statement which they can help you to prepare to aid our case," Barnes wrote in an e-mail sent on April 10, according to The Times.

"The question is: When you were involved in transfers in season 2006-7 did any of you other than refereing to Sections K, L and M ever consult or have need to refer to Rule U18 or indeed ever really know of its existence?

"I confirm if you agree to assist, it would only involve a written statement and not an appearance in court."

Tevez left West Ham for Manchester United in the summer, having scored at Old Trafford on the final day of last season to secure the 1-0 victory that kept the Londoners in the top-flight.

Sheffield United were relegated on goal difference after losing 2-1 at home to Wigan Athletic - who finished fourth from bottom - in their final fixture.