The Premier League are to press ahead with preparations for next season's fixture list, despite agreeing to set up an arbitration tribunal to rule on Sheffield United's complaints over the Carlos Tevez affair.

A three-man panel is due to be appointed tomorrow but any final decision is not likely before the end of June.

The league are to publish the fixtures for the new season on June 14, and are preparing to do so on the basis that United have been relegated and West Ham remain in the top flight.

League officials are sure the arbitration tribunal will find that they acted according to their regulations in both the disciplinary case against West Ham and in regards to the registration of Tevez.

Sheffield will claim that an independent commission should have deducted points from West Ham, and that the league should have cancelled Tevez's registration. However, it is more likely that, should they persuade the arbitration panel of their case, they would be awarded a compensation payment rather than the commission's decision be overturned.

Kevin McCabe, the Sheffield United plc chairman, said he believed his club's stand would be justified. "I'm here to protect Sheffield United's position," he said. "I believe the arbitration proceedings will reverse decisions. Whether that means they are able to reverse decisions to deduct points rather than fines I do not know. However, when you consider there are 20 clubs in the Premier League who only play for one thing every Saturday - points, I find it absolutely irrational that you can fine and not deduct points."

Magnusson eager to keep Tevez

Eggert Magnusson, the West Ham chairman, has insisted that he wants to keep Carlos Tevez at the club despite the ongoing controversy surrounding him.

The future of the Argentine attacker remains uncertain with a legal battle looming, but after unilaterally terminating their third-party agreements with Kia Joorabchian, Tevez's agent, Magnusson holds the player's registration and is determined to keep him.

"There is bound to be a lot of speculation over the summer about our playing squad," the chairman said.

"There will be a particular focus on Carlos Tevez and I want him to stay. The starting point is that he is a West Ham player, registered with and contracted to the club with three years remaining on a four-year contract."

Magnusson also promised he would provide funds for Alan Curbishley to make new signings this summer and try to keep the best players at the club.

"We are ambitious for this club and what we can achieve," he added. "We want to strengthen the squad and will work hard over the summer to prepare for next season."