Orient Chairman May Delay OS Decision with Judicial Review

Chairman of English nPower League One soccer side Leyton Orient, the club closest to the newly constructed Olympic Stadium, Barry Hearn has written to the UK Prime Minister David Cameron to appeal against the expected decision to award West Ham with the venue rights.

Hearn has consistently voiced his concern that if the Premier League side to inherit the stadium, they would adversely affect the revenue and indeed threaten the future of his London club.

Hearn has reportedly requested that Cameron and mayor of London Boris Johnson, not to rubber-stamp the move, so that they can have time to put their case forward. 

Media reports indicate that Hearn is consulting with lawyers about a possible judicial review, which could significantly delay the process of confirming West Ham’s tenancy at the new stadium.

Hearn said: “How on earth has nobody even considered us and how on earth has the government or Premier League, or anybody else, not even had the respect to discuss it with us?

“It’s a question of due process and whether the Olympic Park Legacy Committee, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and even the Prime Minister have given consideration to Leyton Orient in these discussions.”

The Oreint chairman feels that West Ham’s likelihood to heavily discount tickets in order to fill the potential 60,000-seat capacity of the ground would impact on attendances at their Matchroom Stadium, and that this goes against FA and Football League rulings.