https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47 ... name=sport

Coventry City could be expelled from the English Football League unless they can provide more clarity over where they will play home games next season.

The Sky Blues' rental agreement at the Ricoh Arena runs out in the summer.

Wasps bought the stadium in 2014 but City's owners Sisu remain in a legal battle with the Premiership rugby union club over the sale.

The EFL board has requested Coventry provide more details by 5 March over their intentions for next season.

League One side City say their "only option" is to continue playing at the Ricoh Arena.

"The football club wants to do a deal with Wasps Rugby Club as soon as possible, to resolve this impasse," a Coventry statement said.

The EFL board has informed Coventry that unless a satisfactory solution can be found within the next two months, it will need to call an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of all 72 clubs to consider City's expulsion from the league and any future membership.

If required, that EGM would be held on 25 April in order to resolve the issue in advance of any outstanding promotion and relegation issues at the end of this season.

"These dates show how stark the situation facing the football club now is and that time is running out," the Sky Blues statement added.

The EFL agrees Coventry's intention to continue at the Ricoh Arena beyond this season is a "sensible and suitable solution".

"This has been a serious concern for all parties for a significant period of time," EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey said.

"The course of action taken 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."

Why the continued uncertainty?
Coventry City and Wasps remain at loggerheads over agreeing a new tenancy after Coventry's owners Sisu saw their call for a judicial review into the 2014 sale of the Ricoh Arena rejected in October.

London-based hedge fund Sisu claimed Coventry City Council undervalued the stadium by £27m and, in November, stated their intention to appeal the rejection.

Wasps have previously stated they will not discuss a new tenancy while legal proceedings continue.

Sisu have not only been in disagreement with Wasps over the level of rent in recent years, but also with the Ricoh Arena's previous owners, Arena Coventry Ltd.

That row saw the football club forced to play its 2013-14 season home matches 34 miles away as they ground-shared at Northampton Town's Sixfields Stadium.

Worrying parallels and such news will certainly empower the WRU’s negotiating position. County will soon find themselves between the rock and the hard place unless a viable Plan B is in place soon.

Great point well made WTW - a scenario we could very likely end up with in the not too distant future - plans must be made.

It's no good sprouting off on here about it. As someone once said this is an unofficial football forum. Get in touch with the Club directly or get yourselves organised by forming some sort of group. And then demand answers from the Club on what their plans are for the future of Newport County? It's quite simple really.

We are three years away from this scenario. A long time right?

Three years ago Jonjo Sheridan was drinking his Costa coffee.

Here's an idea:

Why don't we ask the WRU if they intend to extend our lease?

aberexile wrote:Here's an idea:

Why don't we ask the WRU if they intend to extend our lease?

I suspect that question has been asked, would be negligent of the Club if it hasn’t.
I would also imagine that the WRU are receptive to at least a short term extention, but at quite a cost.
The other potential difficulty may be with agreeing an EFL min requirement for a 10 year lease, as that could potentially hinder any covert plans that the WRU may have for a housing development at RP.

Taunton Iron Cider wrote:

aberexile wrote:Here's an idea:

Why don't we ask the WRU if they intend to extend our lease?

I suspect that question has been asked, would be negligent of the Club if it hasn’t.
I would also imagine that the WRU are receptive to at least a short term extention, but at quite a cost.
The other potential difficulty may be with agreeing an EFL min requirement for a 10 year lease, as that could potentially hinder any covert plans that the WRU may have for a housing development at RP.

Is there a 10 year EFL requirement ? Would seem Coventry didn’t comply with this if their current agreement expires this summer.

A ten year lease is only required on entering the EFL. A season-to-season agreement would satisfy the EFL now.
While there is evidence in board minutes of discussions being held with the WRU, I also hope we are discussing what would be necessary to make Spytty our EFL home as a backstop option.

Amberexile wrote:A ten year lease is only required on entering the EFL. A season-to-season agreement would satisfy the EFL now.
While there is evidence in board minutes of discussions being held with the WRU, I also hope we are discussing what would be necessary to make Spytty our EFL home as a backstop option.

Thanks for that. So we do not need to agree a 10 year agreement once our current deal expires.

Just to throw something into the mix regarding the WRU. I did find this a bit difficult to believe, but........

My son in law is a massive Ospreys fan. Rumours are awash via social media that the Ospreys may be in severe financial difficulties and may go broke. It may be a matter of weeks. Their owner is bankrupt allegedly. Rumours I know, but still.......

Now, how will this effect the situation regarding the WRU and the Dragons. They have a financial stake in the Dragons and the Blues but not the Osprys apparently.

As others have said, time may be running out for us to get the RP situation sorted. I just wish I had been that Euro millions Irish couple the other day.

That's right. This is only Coventry's 5th season back at the Ricoh since groundsharing at Northampton and I believe the agreement they have for this season is a one year extension.
If the WRU do have thoughts of selling RP in the future they could offer us a short extension to keep their opinions open

Surely a short term solution is not an answer, the Club needs at least 5 year certainty if they are to have any sort of business plan. If we are not careful RP could prove to be the graveyard of all our ambitions.

I agree that it's not the best answer for the club but it may be what the WRU are prepared to offer. We would then have to decide whether or not we have a better option available.

Amberexile wrote:I agree that it's not the best answer for the club but it may be what the WRU are prepared to offer. We would then have to decide whether or not we have a better option available.

Thinking specifically of a new build, or a redeveloped Newport Stadium, when do you think would be the deadline for completion in each case, including time for safety testing, certification, 'practice events', and whatever other requirements there are prior to our taking up residence?
Clearly, with a new build, there must be a date, after which it'd be too late to do it in time.
Any ideas on deadlines, ground breaks etc?