The Argentina pair were signed in August - Mascherano has since left for Liverpool - and under scrutiny is whether the involvement of Media Sports Investment was against regulations.

"The Premier League can confirm that we have received West Ham's response," said a Premier League spokesman.

Ownership of players by third parties who might be able to influence a club is forbidden, and the South American pair were part-owned by MSI, the company run by Iranian-born businessman Kia Joorabchian who then became involved in a takeover attempt for the club.

An independent commission is likely to hear the charges in the same way that the Ashley Cole 'tapping-up' case was dealt with and if found guilty the Hammers could be fined or even have points deducted.