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Tottenham to officially challenge Olympic decision

Tottenham still have questions about the decision to hand West Ham the occupancy of the 2012 Olympic Stadium © Getty Images

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Tottenham are to take the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) to court over its decision to award the Olympic Stadium to West Ham.

West Ham were named the preferred bidders for the site in Stratford last month as their proposal was deemed the best fit for the OPLC's criteria, with Tottenham planning to rebuild the Olympic Stadium as a football ground.

Spurs, though, are now challenging the OPLC's process. Judicial reviews allow for challenges on the grounds of illegality, irrationality and unfairness.

An OPLC spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that a letter before action in relation to potential judicial review proceedings has been issued.

"The Olympic Park Legacy Company ran a very rigorous and transparent process in its selection of the recommended preferred bidder. We have been supported by independent experts in their field in terms of legal, financial, commercial and technical advice."

She added: "We have been consistent, fair, objective and entirely equal in our dealings with the bidders from start to finish.

"We are confident that if these judicial review proceedings are pursued, our approach will be entirely vindicated by the courts."

However, Tottenham have denied that they have already initiated legal proceedings - stating that they will make a decision about their next course of action once they receive answers to the questions they have posed to those involved in the decision.

"At this stage the Club has not issued any proceedings against the Olympic Park Legacy Company or any other party in respect of the decision regarding the award of the Olympic Stadium," a statement read. "The club's lawyers have written letters to the OPLC, the Mayor of London, the Minister of Sport and the Secretary of State for Local Government and a separate letter to the London Borough of Newham raising a number of concerns with the processes which led to the award.

"The letters also requested - in the interests of transparency - for the provision of certain information concerning the processes, which the club considers that it is entitled to. Tottenham Hotspur will determine its next step as and when it receives a response to these letters."

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