LONDON (AFP) – Tottenham took the first formal step in their legal bid to overturn the decision to award the 2012 Olympic Stadium venue to Premier League rivals West Ham, the club confirmed.
Spurs, who lost out to West Ham in a bitter battle for the right to relocate to the site in east London, are challenging the legality of a £40-million-loan from Newham Council to help finance the Hammers move.
"The club has today sought permission from the High Court to bring a claim against the London Borough of Newham ("Newham") for judicial review of Newham's process in providing a loan for the conversion of the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games," a Tottenham statement said.
"The club wrote to Newham asking it to explain its reasons and justification for its decision, but Newham has declined to respond to this request for information.
"Due to the time limits which apply to claims for judicial review, the club has had no alternative but to issue these proceedings in order to protect its position."
Tottenham had proposed demolishing the Olympic stadium and replacing it with a purpose-built football venue, while vowing to refurbish Crystal Palace in south London as a year-round home for athletics.
West Ham won the bidding war however after a joint bid with Newham Council which will see the stadium converted into a 60,000-seat facility which retains an athletics track.
AFP
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