The sale of the English football club Derby County has failed for the third time – the future of the club is uncertain.
The American businessman Chris Kirchner was considered the club’s potential new owner, but he has now officially withdrawn his bid. Kirchner the insolvency administrators announced that it was not possible to deposit the money needed to buy the club. On Friday another deadline had passed to complete the purchase.
According to media reports from England Kirchner with salary payments to employees of his own company in arrears, and sponsorship contracts with an ice hockey team from the USA would not be fulfilled by him.
Time is pressing – the game plan will come in two weeks
the English Football League (EFL), which organizes the 2nd, 3rd and 4th leagues in England, said on Sunday (12/06/22) that it was “increasingly concerned” about the “persistent delays” on the sale of the club. The schedule for the 2022/23 season will be published in two weeks, the process will stop “real risk to the integrity of competition” represent.
The future of the club is uncertain. “We are aware that this news will worry some”, announced the insolvency administrators. But you will get in touch “to employ a growing number of interested parties who have a real interest in a takeover as soon as possible”.
The EFL announced that “Proactively assisting managers of the club as they continue to engage with a range of prospects in order to achieve the objective of closing the sale as soon as possible”. One could, according to British media Mike Ashley be. The British businessman last owned Newcastle Unitedbefore selling the club to a Saudi-led investor group.
Third failed takeover
It is the third time that a sale of the club has failed. In March 2021, a takeover by a financial group from Abu Dhabi fell through, and in May 2021 it was not possible to reach an agreement with a Spanish businessman.
Derby County was deducted several points in the 2021/22 season. Twelve points were deducted for going into insolvency administration, nine for violating financial regulations. These violations were also the subject of a legal dispute.
The clubs off Middlesbrough and Wycombe demanded compensation since derbies outperformed them in sport under allegedly unfair financial conditions. Middlesbrough missed 2019 behind derbies entry into the promotionplayoffs to the Premier League, Wycombe rose one point behind in 2021 derbies from the 2nd league