10 Insane Football Punishments You Won't Believe
8. Carlos Tevez Saves West Ham Amidst Suspicious Circumstances
One of the most perplexing rivalries in football is contested between West Ham and Sheffield United. Unlike other derbies drawn across geographical, political or even religious lines, the distaste between the two clubs can be traced back to the 2006/7 season, where both teams found themselves embroiled in a battle for Premier League survival.
On transfer deadline day, the Hammers shocked the footballing world when they announced the signing of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, stars for Argentina at the 2006 World Cup, amidst some pretty shady circumstances.
After all, no disrespect to the east London club but the pair of starlets had been tipped to sign for some of Europe's top teams, so to see them turning out at Upton Park under Alan Pardew was more than a little surprising.
The club would be ultimately fined a then-record £5.5 million for breaching signing rules with the two Argentinian prospects, but as any West Ham fan would tell you, it was money well spent. Tevez was inspired as the club embarked on an epic run at the end of the season to narrowly avoid the drop and condemned Sheffield United to over ten years outside the top flight in the process.