Coventry CEO Claims Landlords Rejected Deal to see Club Stay at Ricoh Arena

The CEO of Coventry City Football Club have claimed that landlords Arena Coventry Ltd (ACL) rejected a deal that would have seen the club remain at the Ricoh Arena for the next three years.

Coventry have been in court over unpaid rent to ACL and were docked points for entering administration.

Now, sales Tim Fisher, the Club’s CEO said a deal that would have kept the Sky Blues at their home whilst they built their own stadium, was rejected by ACL.

He said the club were forced to seek a temporary ground-sharing arrangement because ACL ‘refused to negotiate a sensible exit strategy – effectively a longer version of the three-game deal we did last season.’

Fisher also said owners Sisu were forced to find an alternative home because Coventry Council went back on a deal for them to buy out ACL’s debt in return for half the arena.

Fisher claimed: “The Council made the problem even worse by using public funds, something that is now subject to judicial review proceedings.

“We believe the conduct of the Council was motivated not by what was in the best interests of the club but by a desire to wrest control of the club from Sisu.

“By providing state aid any incentive for ACL to accept a market rate for the club’s use of the stadium has disappeared and this has led directly to the club moving to its own stadium.”

Reports have said that Coventry will share a ground with Walsall until they build their own stadium, but these have been unconfirmed by the club.