Blackstone tackles Man U in Heinze dispute

Blackstone Chambers has scored its second instruction on a disputed football transfer, after being brought in to secure Argentine defender Gabriel Heinze's release from Manchester United FC.

Andrew Green has been instructed by Hill Dickinson partner Richard Green on behalf of Heinze.

Andrew Green is also part of the team acting for the agents of Carlos Tevez in their dispute with West Ham United FC.

The dispute is between Heinze and his current club Manchester United. The club has refused to allow Heinze a transfer to rival club Liverpool FC, with the player instructing lawyers to push the move through before the transfer deadline at the end of August.

The dispute hinges on a conversation between Manchester United and Heinze’s agent, when it was agreed that if a third party club paid a big enough transfer fee then Heinze was free to leave. This was followed by a letter from the club to the agent confirming this conversation.

It is understood that Manchester United subsequently said that he couldn’t join a rival Premiership club. Liverpool are understood to have made a bid that meets the original asking price.

The Premier League, rather than the courts, will now have to decide whether there was an agreement between club and agent and what were the terms of the agreement.

Brabners Chaffe Street is acting for Manchester United. Liverpool has not yet instructed outside counsel as the dispute is between Heinze and Manchester United.