Menu
11/10/2011
Olympic Stadium Negotiations Break Down
West Ham's bid to secure ownership to the Olympic Stadium after the London 2012 Games has collapsed.
The board of the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) ended negotiations with the club on Tuesday, instead agreeing to bring the stadium into public ownership.
The break down of the deal is being linked to concerns over delays caused by a legal dispute with Tottenham, while West Ham have claimed the collapse was due to an "anonymous complaint" to the European Commission.
However, it is believed that West Ham is still hopeful of being awarded tenancy of the stadium while their council, Newham, will be given the 'Olympic legacy' aspect of the grounds to deliver athletics and sports events in the future.
In a joint statement, Karren Brady, Vice-Chairman of West Ham United, and Kim Bromley-Derry, Chief Executive of the London Borough of Newham said: "Uncertainty caused by the anonymous complaint to the European Commission and ongoing legal challenges have put the Olympic legacy at risk and certainly a stadium, as we envisioned it, may not be in place by 2014 due as a direct result of the legal delay.
"Therefore we would welcome a move by OPLC and government to end that uncertainty and allow a football and athletics stadium to be in place by 2014 under a new process. If the speculation is true, West Ham will look to become a tenant of the stadium while Newham will aim to help deliver the legacy.
The statement said the West Ham bid was the only one that would secure the sporting and community legacy promise of the Olympic Stadium, providing "an amazing year-round home for football, athletics and community events of which the nation could be proud".
"The true legacy of London 2012 will be the creation of jobs and a generation of young people inspired by sport based around a community home for all by 2014. We remain committed to help deliver that legacy promise to the people of London and the nation," the statement concluded.
A fund of £35m has been set aside from public money to convert the 80,000-capacity stadium at Games time to a 60,000-seater venue afterwards.
Both Tottenham and Leyton Orient launched a legal challenge against the original decision to award the stadium to West Ham.
(DW/BMcC)
The board of the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) ended negotiations with the club on Tuesday, instead agreeing to bring the stadium into public ownership.
The break down of the deal is being linked to concerns over delays caused by a legal dispute with Tottenham, while West Ham have claimed the collapse was due to an "anonymous complaint" to the European Commission.
However, it is believed that West Ham is still hopeful of being awarded tenancy of the stadium while their council, Newham, will be given the 'Olympic legacy' aspect of the grounds to deliver athletics and sports events in the future.
In a joint statement, Karren Brady, Vice-Chairman of West Ham United, and Kim Bromley-Derry, Chief Executive of the London Borough of Newham said: "Uncertainty caused by the anonymous complaint to the European Commission and ongoing legal challenges have put the Olympic legacy at risk and certainly a stadium, as we envisioned it, may not be in place by 2014 due as a direct result of the legal delay.
"Therefore we would welcome a move by OPLC and government to end that uncertainty and allow a football and athletics stadium to be in place by 2014 under a new process. If the speculation is true, West Ham will look to become a tenant of the stadium while Newham will aim to help deliver the legacy.
The statement said the West Ham bid was the only one that would secure the sporting and community legacy promise of the Olympic Stadium, providing "an amazing year-round home for football, athletics and community events of which the nation could be proud".
"The true legacy of London 2012 will be the creation of jobs and a generation of young people inspired by sport based around a community home for all by 2014. We remain committed to help deliver that legacy promise to the people of London and the nation," the statement concluded.
A fund of £35m has been set aside from public money to convert the 80,000-capacity stadium at Games time to a 60,000-seater venue afterwards.
Both Tottenham and Leyton Orient launched a legal challenge against the original decision to award the stadium to West Ham.
(DW/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
24 August 2011
Olympic Stadium Case Resumes At High Court
The battle over the future of the Olympic stadium is continuing at the High Court. Tottenham Hotspur is seeking a second judicial review over the decision by the Olympic Park Legacy Company's (OPLC) to give the £486 million stadium to West Ham.
Olympic Stadium Case Resumes At High Court
The battle over the future of the Olympic stadium is continuing at the High Court. Tottenham Hotspur is seeking a second judicial review over the decision by the Olympic Park Legacy Company's (OPLC) to give the £486 million stadium to West Ham.
26 August 2009
Football 'Disgrace' Investigated
Violence at last night's West Ham versus Millwall match has been branded a "disgrace to football". Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said the government would not tolerate a return to "the dark days of the 80s," which were marred by football hooliganism.
Football 'Disgrace' Investigated
Violence at last night's West Ham versus Millwall match has been branded a "disgrace to football". Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said the government would not tolerate a return to "the dark days of the 80s," which were marred by football hooliganism.
13 December 2013
Two Arrested Over Anti-Semitic Tweets
Two men who posted tweets referencing Hitler and the gas chambers after a Premier League football match on 6 October have been arrested. A 24-year-old man from Croydon and a 22-year-old man from Wiltshire were arrested on Thursday on suspicion of inciting racial hatred.
Two Arrested Over Anti-Semitic Tweets
Two men who posted tweets referencing Hitler and the gas chambers after a Premier League football match on 6 October have been arrested. A 24-year-old man from Croydon and a 22-year-old man from Wiltshire were arrested on Thursday on suspicion of inciting racial hatred.
02 May 2013
Olympic Stadium To Host RWC Games
London's Olympic Stadium will host five games at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Twickenham will host the opening match of the event on 18 September, with England facing the winner of the Oceania qualifying competition.
Olympic Stadium To Host RWC Games
London's Olympic Stadium will host five games at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Twickenham will host the opening match of the event on 18 September, with England facing the winner of the Oceania qualifying competition.
01 August 2006
Wembley Stadium 'unlikely to open until June 2007'
The opening of the new Wembley Stadium looks set to be delayed until June 2007. The venue had been due to be completed by August 2005, but construction has been hit by a series of delays, which resulted in this year's FA Cup Final being moved to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Wembley Stadium 'unlikely to open until June 2007'
The opening of the new Wembley Stadium looks set to be delayed until June 2007. The venue had been due to be completed by August 2005, but construction has been hit by a series of delays, which resulted in this year's FA Cup Final being moved to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
