Spurs' lawyers opened up that possibility by writing to the bodies responsible for the decision - the Olympic Park Legacy Company, the Mayor of London and the government departments for sport and local government - as well as West Ham's partners Newham Council, to demand answers about how the process worked.
Enlarge?Ready and waiting: construction has been completed on the 2012 stadium, which will be used by West Ham
Those parties have until the end of April to reply. Spurs must then decide whether to go ahead with court action. If they do, the case is thought likely to be concluded by mid-July.
Financial considerations will not be a major deterrent for Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy. The costs would be about ?500,000 and the club would incur a similar amount from the other sides combined if they lost.
That is still a small outlay when the revenue generating potential of moving into the stadium runs into many millions.
They are desperate to move from White Hart Lane to a bigger home to consolidate their Champions League status, and the Olympic site is favoured ahead of more costly options in their heartland of Haringey.
Unsatisfied: an OPLC board, chaired by Baroness Ford (left), favoured West Ham's bid over that of Tottenham, who are keen to leave White Hart Lane (right) and wanted to relocate to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford
The OPLC, who voted 14-0 to make West Ham preferred bidders, subject to government approval that followed earlier this month, are confident of vindication. They said in a statement: 'The OPLC ran a very rigorous and transparent process in its selection.
'We have been supported by independent experts in terms of legal, financial, commercial and technical advice. We have been consistent, fair, objective and entirely equal in our dealing with the bidders.'
The controversy dents London's image as a polished host. The International Olympic Committee inspectors are in the capital this week and this squabble comes as a further embarrassment as the row between the British Olympic Association and the Organising Committee over how to spend any profit from the Games rumbles on.
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?Explore more:People: Daniel Levy Places: London, Olympic Stadium Organisations: International Olympic Committee, British Olympic Association, Newham Council
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail