Charlton fans learnt this morning that contrary to the Official Website post a number of weeks back that ESI had been taken over by Paul Elliott and a consortium he leads, ESI and consequently Charlton Athletic FC are still owned by Fake Sheikh Nimer, which means Matt Southall is still clinging on to his 35%.
In deciding that Matt Southall had no right to change the ownership details of CAFC on Companies House, it became clear at last that Paul Elliott does not currently own the club and that he, in fact, only has an "outline agreement" to acquire the club (for a £1) once he has passed the EFL's Owners & Directors Test. Nonetheless, Southall was put on notice by the Court for 12 months and fined a tasty £17,500+VAT. A tough lesson for the smart-arse.
This hearing may well, finally, prompt a response from the EFL in terms of their Misconduct charge against ESI (Nimer & Southall) and/or news of Elliott's suitability as a prospective football club owner. As I have said before, I don't think the Mancunian Estate Agent is going to get the nod. Either because the Misconduct enquiry will undermine ESI's takeover from Roland Duchatelet back in January or because poor Paul can't evidence the cash needed to prove he's a serious mid-term operator as a football club owner. I am pretty sure he won't be able to evidence the money.
Tomorrow's crucial game against fellow relegation strugglers Wigan may also tip a balance. The perceived value of the club may change if we are relegated and those seeking to profit from a sale (all of them) may find themselves left holding the baby. That would surely lead to a failure to provide operating funding for next month and effectively end in Administration.
The only thing that could realistically stop that would be a new buyer's determination to avoid relegation and thus effectively stepping in to take on the costs as new owners but that would, presumably, involve a willingness to reward the thieves and vagabonds as well, more importantly, as likely having to inherit the onerous ESI-agree clauses with Roland Duchatelet. If Roland was willing to get real on the price of the assets that would be a distinct and positive opportunity. However, Duche is a stubborn old donkey and apparently thinks he can pursue Nimer and Southall first to honour their contractual agreement. Great though it would be to see Southall once again falling foul of M'Lud, it wouldn't help Charlton Athletic in the short-term.
The cleanest way ahead looks increasingly like Administration. It would by-pass the control obligations between ESI and Duchatelet, crystallise Duchatelet's losses and allow new owners to start afresh and not have to waste money addressing historical issues of other people's making.
The big question is whether or not there is anyone willing to acquire the club without the assets? News today that fans may be allowed to return to stadiums "in October" is good news and might also encourage would-be investors.
In deciding that Matt Southall had no right to change the ownership details of CAFC on Companies House, it became clear at last that Paul Elliott does not currently own the club and that he, in fact, only has an "outline agreement" to acquire the club (for a £1) once he has passed the EFL's Owners & Directors Test. Nonetheless, Southall was put on notice by the Court for 12 months and fined a tasty £17,500+VAT. A tough lesson for the smart-arse.
This hearing may well, finally, prompt a response from the EFL in terms of their Misconduct charge against ESI (Nimer & Southall) and/or news of Elliott's suitability as a prospective football club owner. As I have said before, I don't think the Mancunian Estate Agent is going to get the nod. Either because the Misconduct enquiry will undermine ESI's takeover from Roland Duchatelet back in January or because poor Paul can't evidence the cash needed to prove he's a serious mid-term operator as a football club owner. I am pretty sure he won't be able to evidence the money.
Tomorrow's crucial game against fellow relegation strugglers Wigan may also tip a balance. The perceived value of the club may change if we are relegated and those seeking to profit from a sale (all of them) may find themselves left holding the baby. That would surely lead to a failure to provide operating funding for next month and effectively end in Administration.
The only thing that could realistically stop that would be a new buyer's determination to avoid relegation and thus effectively stepping in to take on the costs as new owners but that would, presumably, involve a willingness to reward the thieves and vagabonds as well, more importantly, as likely having to inherit the onerous ESI-agree clauses with Roland Duchatelet. If Roland was willing to get real on the price of the assets that would be a distinct and positive opportunity. However, Duche is a stubborn old donkey and apparently thinks he can pursue Nimer and Southall first to honour their contractual agreement. Great though it would be to see Southall once again falling foul of M'Lud, it wouldn't help Charlton Athletic in the short-term.
The cleanest way ahead looks increasingly like Administration. It would by-pass the control obligations between ESI and Duchatelet, crystallise Duchatelet's losses and allow new owners to start afresh and not have to waste money addressing historical issues of other people's making.
The big question is whether or not there is anyone willing to acquire the club without the assets? News today that fans may be allowed to return to stadiums "in October" is good news and might also encourage would-be investors.
If we did go into Administration, would we receive some form of fine/points deduction from the EFL ??
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