EFL Fit and Proper Owners Process | Vital Football

EFL Fit and Proper Owners Process

Stan_disher

Stan_disher

Vital Squad Member
Good afternoon all, Wigan fan here.

The reason for my post is to make you aware of a petition, started by Wigan fans, to get the EFL Fit and Proper Owners Process debated in parliament with the hope that the EFL will be forced to review, revamp and make it fit for purpose to protect the future of football clubs in England.

For those of you not familiar with Wigan Athletic's current problems, very briefly, Wigan Athletic was sold by one offshore business to a second offshore business during June this year. Within days of acquiring the club, the new owners put it into administration resulting in a 12 point EFL penalty and ultimately relegation from the Championship.

The club was well managed, did not have any outstanding bills, there was no notice or rumour that this was going to happen and currently no sensible explanation why this was done so quickly. However, the new owners had been approved by the EFL.

Subsequently, many people have lost their jobs, charitable projects have ceased, fantastic work within schools and the local area has been adversely affected and the whole community is in a state of shock and devastation. The club is having to sell players to pay wages and bills and even if we survive and win our appeal against the 12 point penalty, it is very likely that our current squad will be decimated.

If this can happen to Wigan Athletic, it can happen to any club.

In recent times we have seen other Football League clubs suffer similar problems, some even go out of business altogether (eg Bury) and each time the EFL states that we must learn lessons......... but nothing ever changes.

Wigan fans feel this is now a watershed moment. Many clubs are likely to experience serious financial problems due to the effects of the Covid 19 crisis. We need a governing body that will look after and protect its members in the best possible way, starting with the Fit and Proper Owners review.

If you feel you would like to support our cause then please follow the link below and sign the petition.

This is not about getting Wigan's 12 point penalty removed, it is about demanding the EFL take responsibility and become accountable for their actions.

Thanks for your time.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/331589
 
Not sure it will make much difference but I have signed.

Wasn’t the original rumour that the owners had placed a large bet on Wigan being relegated?

If so after paying for the club how much would they really have made? And wouldn’t the EFL points deduction be playing into their hands? Utterly bizarre situation either way.
 
I would be interested in hearing from Wigan fans who know more about this behind the scenes what they think the FAPPT could have failed these guys on?

It's nice us talking about a more rigerous FAPPT but we have to be realistic about how extensive the EFL's scope could be to investigate overseas or offshore businesses, especially in countries not known for their transparency.

What was not fit and proper about the new owner, other than their intentions (which could not have been predicted)
 
Within 48 hrs of being put into administration, 2 or 3 fans uncovered many stories in the world media including bankruptcy and FBI investigations.
 
Signed, but considering some clubs are run by alleged fascists and drug smugglers I'm not convinced much will be done.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.