West Ham's decision to appeal against an independent tribunal which ruled against them over the Carlos Tevez affair has brought a rebuke from Football Association chairman Lord Triesman. The league fined The Hammers £5.5million but decided not to deduct points, and the club went on to escape relegation at Sheffield United's expense.

The Blades have continued their battle against West Ham and an independent FA tribunal ruled in their favour earlier this week, which means the London club could be liable to pay as much as £30million compensation.

The Hammers are now planning to appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.

"If it is going to go through the courts it is going to drag on, and on, and on," Triesman told Sky Sports News.

"I never cease to be amazed about the ability of lawyers to argue about these things and that is peoples' right of course - but I think it would be much simpler for people to observe the rules of football.

"The FA is a pretty decent regulatory body and there is no reason why a very big club shouldn't feel that it should regard those rules too."