By Matthew Jones
June 29 2002

United have said they will "wipe the slate clean" with Olivier Bernard after the defender was yesterday deemed to be contracted to The Magpies. United have said they will "wipe the slate clean" with Olivier Bernard after the defender was yesterday deemed to be contracted to The Magpies.

Bernard had set his heart on a move to West Ham, but a Premier League appointed arbitrator issued a judgment confirming that Bernard was contracted to United until June 30, 2003.

"We always knew we had a cast-iron case and we are very happy that we have been proved right," said chairman Freddie Shepherd.

"Now we will look closely at the legal side of things and work out what further action, if any, we should take against West Ham.

"Olivier Bernard is and always has been a Newcastle player and we expect him to report for pre-season training on July 4.

"We will welcome him back to St James' Park and the slate will be wiped clean.

"We are not small-minded and we accept that Olivier's quotes regarding his dissatisfaction with the club may have been taken out of context.

"He has been badly advised by his representatives at every stage and he is a young player who may have been told to say things he might now regret," he added in The Journal.

Bernard was advised that he was a free agent and The Hammers subsequently registered their interest and made an approach to the player.

Speaking before the verdict, Bernard said: "Whatever happens, I don't want to play for Newcastle United and I would find it very difficult to go back now."