Leyton Orient join Tottenham and ask for judicial review into Olympic Stadium decision

By Andrew Warshaw

April 14 – Leyton Orient have followed Tottenham Hotspur by applying to the High Court for a judicial review to try and prevent West Ham United moving to the Olympic Stadium after next year’s summer Games, club chairman Barry Hearn revealed today.

Orient, who play two divisions lower, claim that West Ham’s move will throw their own existence in doubt and that the Premier League has broken its own rules in sanctioning a move by one club close to the established home of another in the same area.

The Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) in February approved West Ham as the preferred bidder for the 80,000-seater stadium which will be reduced to 60,000 for football. Newham Council are loaning £40 million ($65 million) to West Ham to facilitate the move.

“We are taking action against Newham Council because the loan is unlawful,” Hearn told Sky Sports News.

“We will follow this with judicial applications against the Government, the Minister of Sport, the Mayor of London and will take action against the Premier League for being in breach of their own rules as well.”

Hearn said his club’s interests should have been taken taken into account.

“It is an all-encompassing charge by Leyton Orient, a battle by the little man against the big forces of evil if you like,” he said.

“This represents a challenge to our entire future and our survival and we have no choice but to fight our corner.”

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