ha ha ha ha "Against this backdrop, the Premier League confirmed yesterday that it is now looking at whether [sheffield] United themselves transgressed the U18 rule - a regulation that covers a broad range of offences, and which West Ham broke over Tevez - over the sale of the striker Steve Kabba to Watford in January this year. United insisted that Watford, who paid ?500,000 for the player, could not field him against them at Bramall Lane in April, in a match that Watford subsequently lost. Such clauses are not permitted in transfers between Premier League clubs, and while a similar situation occurred with Everton's goalkeeper Tim Howard against his old club Manchester United, those clubs escaped disciplinary action as there was no formal agreement between them. If the League finds evidence of a rule breach in the Kabba case, theoretical punishments include fines or a points deduction. The precedent of the West Ham case could be used, another irony as United are calling for a points penalty."