Coventry get final EFL warning over home match decision or could face expulsion
Coventry confirm receipt of EFL letter and admit "that time is running out"
Friday 22 February 2019 10:30, UK
Coventry City have been given a final warning by the English Football League to decide where the club will stage home matches next season.
Coventry's current agreement at the Ricoh Arena runs out at the end of the season and they have until March 5 to detail their plans for the future to the EFL and failure to do so could result in their expulsion from the Football League.
In November, the club's owners SISU have appealed against a court ruling that rejected a judicial review of the stadium's sale to Wasps in 2014 - delaying the agreement of a new lease on the League One club's rental.
"These dates show how stark the situation facing the Football Club now is and that time is running out. Our only option is to continue to play at our home, the Ricoh Arena."
The EFL has said it needs absolute clarity on a club's home for next season by the early part of the second half of this season, in order to plan and schedule the 2019-20 fixture list.
Coventry have confirmed they have received the letter and are working on a deal with Wasps to try and resolve the matter, but admitted "that time is running out".
In a statement on Friday, the EFL said: "In previous correspondence, the Board has been very clear about the need for Coventry City to provide absolute confirmation early in the second half of the current season.
"The club will still be given every opportunity to develop and present an appropriate resolution throughout the process, but the EFL is yet to receive any indication of where Coventry City intend to play next season.
"The club has until 5 March 2019 to provide a further update to the Board, addressing the outstanding matter and should a satisfactory solution not be found over the next two months, an Extraordinary General Meeting of Clubs will be convened to consider Coventry City's expulsion from the League.
"This would be held on the 25 April in order to provide clarity regarding the Club's future membership in advance of relegation and promotion issues being resolved during the run-in to the end of the season.
"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."
In a statement, Coventry said: "These dates show how stark the situation facing the Football Club now is and that time is running out.
"Our only option is to continue to play at our home, 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.
"No one should be in any doubt of the significance of Coventry City to Coventry - not in the past, now or in the future."
EFL chief executive, Shaun Harvey, said: "The matter of Coventry City's efforts to secure a home venue for 2019/20 season and beyond has been a serious concern for all parties for a significant period of time and the objective of the EFL, as it has always been, is to secure an appropriate solution for the long-term future of the club as they are a much valued member of our competition.
"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."
