EFL threatens to expel Coventry City over home venue uncertainty
Coventry City have been warned they could face expulsion from the Football League if they do not confirm where they plan to host matches next season.
Coventry’s tenancy at the Ricoh Arena runs out this summer, and the club is locked in a legal battle involving the sale of the Ricoh Arena to Premiership rugby union club Wasps in 2014.
The EFL said that in previous correspondence, the board had been “very clear” about the need for Coventry City to provide “absolute confirmation” early in the second half of the current season.
The club has until March 5 to provide a further update to the board, and if a solution is not found over the next two months, an Extraordinary General Meeting of Clubs will be held to consider Coventry City’s expulsion from the league.
The EFL statement said: “The EFL considers it untenable for a member club to seek to continue competing in its league competition if it is unable to stage its home matches. However, it understands, that despite the complex challenges facing Coventry City at this current time, it is the club’s preference to extend their stay at the Ricoh Arena for future seasons and the EFL would view this as a sensible and suitable solution to the matter.”
EFL chief executive, Shaun Harvey, said: “The course of action taken this week is with reluctance, but the League has to ensure the integrity of our competitions is maintained and all clubs meet the obligations that come with being a member of the EFL.
“We remain in regular dialogue with the club and will provide all practical available assistance in line with EFL regulations.”
Coventry City FC said the deadline dates set “show how stark the situation” facing the football club is and that “time is running out”.
The club said its only option is to continue to play at the Ricoh Arena.
“Coventry City Football Club wants to do a deal with Wasps Rugby Club as soon as possible, to resolve this impasse so that the dates above are not encountered.
“All parties now need to work together for good of Coventry City Football Club, its supporters, the Ricoh Arena, the City of Coventry and our community – the continued future of the football club needs to be everyone’s focus to prevent more heartache and worry.”
Nick Eastwood, chief executive of the Wasps Group, said: “We have been clear and consistent about our message to the owners of Coventry City Football Club.
“When we agreed a one year extension for them to play at the Ricoh Arena we said we would only open negotiations again once they had permanently halted their legal action.
“We hope they take that course of action as the EFL have also made their position clear. It is in the owners’ gift to resolve this for the benefit of all, especially their own supporters.”
