A deal has been agreed for the takeover of Wigan Athletic
‘A deal has been agreed for the sale of Wigan Athletic’ just two days after a winding-up order was lodged against the club… after Latics were hit with eight-point deduction for next season
- A deal has been agreed for the takeover at Wigan Athletic, according to reports
- HMRC lodged a winding-up order against the club just two days prior to the sale
- The Latics were handed an eight point deduction for the start of next year
A deal has reportedly been agreed for the sale of Wigan Athletic, just days after a winding-up petition was placed against the club.
It was confirmed earlier this month that the club’s owners were willing to sell the club as a mountain of financial issues began to pile up against them.
Bahrani owner Abdulrahman Al-Jasmi put the club up for sale and said they had agreed a deal in principle subject to EFL approval with an unnamed buyer.
There had been slight concern whether a deal would be agreed in time, after HMRC placed a winding-up order against the club on Monday, over their unpaid tax bills.
However, according to Sky Sports, a deal has been agreed and contracts have been signed ahead of an official announcement from the club.
Wigan Athletic have reportedly agreed a sale of the club amid their financial troubles
And, a report in the Wigan Observer claims that Wigan-born billionaire Mike Danson is the man to have completed the takeover at the DW Stadium.
Danson is the owner of GlobalData, an analytics and consultancy firm, and also owns a 25 per cent stake in rugby league side Wigan Warriors since 2020.
Wigan, who finished bottom of the Sky Bet Championship this season, were hit with a second four-point penalty over payment of wages at the end of May and will start next season on minus eight points in League One.
The Latics were handed the initial deduction in response to two late payments in March and May, with a further four points suspended.
An independent disciplinary commission required funds equal to 125 per cent of the club’s forecast monthly wage bill to be paid into a nominated account by May 24, but that was not done and the additional sanction therefore enforced.
Al-Jasmi posted a lengthy statement on the club’s website shortly before the second points deduction was announced, addressing the problems with meeting the payroll on time.
‘I want to confirm that an eight-figure sum is currently being processed and is due to land in the club account imminently. This funding will also ensure financial stability for June and the 2023/24 season,’ he wrote.
‘It is important to address the numerous late wage payments. As I have previously stated, I recognise this is totally unacceptable. Since Phoenix 2021 acquired Wigan Athletic in 2021, the ownership group will have invested over £30m into the club to date.
Several Wigan Athletic players threatened to quit the club after they were paid late
‘The inflated wage bill resulted in cash flow issues which meant we could not adhere to the Agreed Decision with the EFL in January. However, everything possible was done to ensure wages were paid.
‘Delays are a common occurrence with overseas transactions, but that is not and cannot be an excuse for late payments.’
Last week, Mail Sport revealed that several Wigan players were considering quitting the club after failing to be paid on time for the sixth occasion this season.
‘Not all footballers are millionaires. Some struggle to pay their mortgage and other bills when their salaries aren’t met,’ said a source.
Source: Read Full Article