Coventry City deny Wasps claims they withdrew from Ricoh Arena negotiations

Coventry City returned to the Ricoh Arena in 2014 after a year ground-sharing with Northampton Town

Coventry City have rejected Wasps' claims they withdrew from negotiations to play home games at the Ricoh Arena.

The Sky Blues say an EFL deadline to confirm their home for 2020-21 elapsed on Friday, thus they will instead play games at Birmingham City's St Andrew's.

In response to City's confirmation of the return to Birmingham next term, Wasps had denied the claim that an indemnity was part of any agreement.

Now, City chief executive Dave Boddy says it was "absolutely a requirement".

"This indemnity would have put the football club at substantial risk and jeopardise its very future," Boddy said in Coventry's latest statement.

"We would be happy to produce correspondence to support all of our claims but unfortunately we are bound by the NDA [non-disclosure agreement], which we signed at the start of talks at the insistence of Wasps.

"Because progress was being made the EFL extended the deadline twice during this week to Friday; and on that expiry we were instructed by them to confirm where we would play. All parties in the process were well aware of these extensions.

"We were faced with exactly the same problem last season, and were effectively 'timed out' by them again."

In a statement issued on Monday, Wasps said they were "surprised" by Coventry's decision to remain at St Andrew's and have "never communicated to us why they withdrew".

They added: "We have been consistently clear that we would like to see Coventry City (CCFC) return to the Ricoh Arena.

"Everyone agrees that it is in the best interests of the supporters, the city and the local community.

"We have done everything in our power to make this happen and were very close to having an agreement in place which allowed the club to return - and on terms which were attractive to both parties."

The Premiership rugby union club took control of the stadium when they purchased the remaining 50% share from the Alan Edwards Higgs Charity in November 2014, having previously acquired the other 50% from Coventry City Council.

At that time Wasps acknowledged the deal "might raise concerns" with Coventry football fans, but said they were committed to "a long-term and mutually productive relationship".

Coventry's owners Sisu failed to agree terms with the rugby club last season, and another season of exile awaits the Sky Blues, who returned to the Championship as League One champions this summer.

City, who previously also ground-shared with Northampton - some 35 miles away - now plan to build a new stadium on land owned by the University of Warwick.