In this week’s episode of Eastenders, Phil angrily confronted Christian and their argument took a violent turn, leaving Roxy to plead with Ben to tell the truth whilst Jane chastised Ian for neglecting Bobby. Dramatic stuff indeed, yet a couple of miles away from the relative tranquility of Walford, an even more absurd soap opera is taking place concerning the nations Olympic Stadium.
On Tuesday a 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of fraud following complaints made by West Ham United and the Olympic Park Legacy Committee (OPLC) againstTottenham Hotspur. The arrest came about just hours after the OPLC Chair Baroness Ford accused Spurs of placing 14 of her board members ‘under surveillance’ as the spat over the future of the Olympic Stadium escalated.
The tit-for-tat row between the OPLC, Newham Council, West Ham, Tottenham and Leyton Orient shows no signs of receding after a decision to grant tendership of the stadium to the Hammers was rescinded last month under the threat of numerous legal challenges.
West Ham were the OPLC’s choice from the off due to their acceptance to leave the running track around the Olympic athletics venue and given the purported conduct of Spurs throughout the whole process, it is difficult to see how they have any chance of claiming ownership of the site when it is re-tendered next month.
So, for the sake of protocol the whole thing needs going over again which remains in keeping with the confused and conflicting opinions of what is best for the venue which will be the showpiece of next summers London Olympic Games.
With location, east-end identity and the maintenance of the running track in their favour, West Ham remain favourites to be allowed to take up residence but inevitably another twist to the plot has further made the whole thing look even more shambolic, dysfunctional and disrespectful to what should be an iconic national image.
After being the front-runners for occupancy since day one, West Ham co-Chairman David Gold has now admitted that the club might not be all that interested in taking up the offer after all.
Speaking to talksport, Gold confessed he had ‘mixed feelings’ over moving away from Upton Park and into the Olympic Stadium and expressed ‘doubts’ about ‘unresolved issues’. All of which sounds fairly ominous as the legacy of the stadium hangs in the balance.
Central to Gold’s ‘doubts’ maybe that, under the terms of the new tender proposed as London bids for the 2017 World AthleticsChampionships, track and field events take precedence over all other sports – a notion which would considerably weaken West Ham’s previously exhalted position and lessen any designs they had on being overtly in control of the venue.
Spurs have conducted themselves in a shameful way. That is very clear.
As I West Ham fan I’d tell the OLPC to shove the stadium. Given it to Orient. That should be good for a laugh.
West Ham should look at other options. The Olympic stadium is not a place for football.