Charlton Athletic: EFL requests 'further information and meeting' to 'clarify ownership issues'
- Published
Charlton were relegated back to League One on Wednesday, 14 months after winning promotion to the Championship
The English Football League has written to Charlton Athletic to request a meeting and "further information" regarding "ongoing ownership issues".
A consortium led by Paul Elliott bought East Street Investments, the company which owns the club, in June.
However, the takeover of the relegated Championship club is yet to be ratified by the EFL.
Charlton say the approval of the change of ownership is the "top priority of everyone at the club".
A Charlton statement said:, external "The club expected the change in ownership control to be approved this week and the transfer embargo lifted, in order that work can begin on the squad for next season.
"Throughout the extensive communication with the league, the club has received numerous requests for information from the EFL and provided responses to the league as soon as it has been requested.
"The club will be in touch with the league on Tuesday morning with aim of getting this process concluded."
'Extensive correspondence exchanged', says EFL
The EFL says it has requested "further information and a meeting with the club, the current majority owner of ESI and also the proposed new owners, as it seeks to clarify the ongoing ownership issues at the club in the context of the EFL regulations".
Their statement continued:, external "The league is aware of the frustrations and concerns the current situation is having on all those associated with the club, including staff, players and supporters, particularly in recent weeks whilst it has attempted to try to work through the various and complex challenges out of the public eye.
"Extensive correspondence has been exchanged in respect of outstanding information still required to be submitted to the EFL and the league will continue to work with the club.
"However, it remains the responsibility of the club and any prospective owner or owners to demonstrate the requirements of the EFL regulations are met.
"The club is aware of the consequences of not meeting those requirements."
ESI bought Charlton in January from Belgian Roland Duchatelet, who had owned the club for six years.
However, Tahnoon Nimer and Matt Southall, co-owners of ESI, fell out over proposed investment into the Addicks soon after their takeover and Elliott subsequently bought a majority shareholding in the company.
In April, the EFL began an investigation into potential misconduct in relation to ESI's takeover of the club at the start of the year.
A month earlier, the EFL confirmed Charlton were under a registration embargo, external because they had not, at that time, received proof of how ESI would fund the club up to June 2021.
'No intention' of selling key players
Earlier on Monday, Hammersmith-born businessman Elliott stated they have "no intention" of selling the club's key players after relegation to League One.
A 4-0 defeat at Leeds in their final league match of the season confirmed a bottom-three finish for Charlton, 14 months after Lee Bowyer's side won promotion from the third tier via the play-offs.
"The consortium would like to assure Charlton supporters they have begun making plans to strengthen the squad for next season to give the club every opportunity to get promoted back to the Championship," said a statement.