West Ham PR Nightmare

West Ham decided to round off this week's series of public relations cock-ups by issuing a public statement on Alan Curbishley's role in the signing of Freddie Ljungberg. Earlier this week Curbishley stated that he had nothing to do with negotiating Freddie Ljungberg's wages when the Swede was signed.

This statement seemed to be contradicted yesterday by co-owner Asgeir Fridgeirsson when he openly criticised Curbishley and blamed him for Ljungberg's signing,

"It's the manager and his management team who are responsible for paying out the player’s salary. It is their judgement about how to use the money they paid to Ljungberg in a wiser way.

"We all have our personal opinion about Freddie and his efforts for this club."

Now Scott Duxbury has issued an official statement exonerating Alan Curbishley from any blame in the club's efforts to enrich Freddie Ljungberg,

"The signing of Fredrik Ljungberg in July 2007 was negotiated by the former chairman Eggert Magnusson and the financial discussions relating to the transfer had nothing to do with the manager Alan Curbishley, who has never been involved in player transfer and contract negotiations.

"All financial matters are controlled by the Board with the manager playing a full role in the identification and recommendation of players.

"As stated previously, the termination of Ljungberg's contract was agreed mutually and was in the best interests of West Ham United and the player. This was a footballing decision based on the fact the 31-year-old midfielder's first-team chances would have been limited for the new campaign and allows the club to redirect the wage-saving elsewhere."

Quite clearly Curbishley has demanded that the club officially state that he was not to blame for Ljungberg's extortionate wages. Quite clearly Eggert Magnusson is going to be blamed for the invasion of Iraq, the consequent rise in fuel prices and the collapse of the world's economy.

Eggert Magnusson is expected to hold a press conference tomorrow in which Terence Brown will be blamed not only for Ljungberg's contract but for the rise in global warming.

But that's not all. West Ham have also decided to use today's showcase match to showcase their complete lack of respect for the game of football. That's right according to the West Ham official site,

"Curbishley may also give another run-out to free agent Ben Thatcher."

My thinking is we should not retire Booby Moore's shirt today but hand it to Ben Thatcher. That would more effectively symbolise all that West Ham stand for in the modern game.