THE RICOH Arena company has begun dramatic High Court moves to place Coventry City Football Club into administration - and enable a take-over at the Sky Blues.
Arena Coventry Limited says it could pave the way for new buyers for the club, forcing out Mayfair-based hedge fund owners Sisu.
It could also mean a Football League ten-point deduction for the Division One club, scuppering hopes of reaching the play-offs and promotion this season.
ACL director Chris West, who is also Coventry City Council’s finance director, told the Telegraph: “We believe there are other parties out there that could be interested.”
One potential player in any takeover bid - city businessman and former club director Joe Elliott - had been spotted with American businessmen at the Sky Blues home game with Colchester United on Tuesday night.
The potential American investors were also rumoured to have been given a tour of the Ricoh last week by ACL interim chief executive Jacky Isaac.
Arena Coventry Limited - joint owned by Coventry City Council and the Alan Edward Higgs Charity - applied to the High Court for an administration order today.
The application relates to CCFC’s failure to pay ACL £1.3million over the last year in rent for using the stadium.
ACL said the application means a High Court judge will consider “in the coming weeks” placing the club into administration, if it is deemed unfit to continue trading.
That is the expected outcome, as Sky Blues chief executive Tim Fisher in the last week has said himself the club could be heading for
administration and insolvent liquidation.
Mr Fisher had also mooted the prospect of Sisu building a new stadium and leaving the Ricoh.
ACL said an administrator would then by appointed to potentially sell CCFC to a buyer who would be able to restore financial stability to the club.
ACL said today’s High Court action provides an interim period in which Sisu - the club’s main creditor which claims to have invested £60million in the loss-making club - would not be able to wind up or liquidate the club.
Lawyer James Powell, acting for ACL, said liquidation could involve the club falling many tiers down the football pyramid, as happened with Glasgow Rangers.
Mr West said administration with a ten-point deduction this season, rather than next season, would be preferable.
He added: “We’re doing this as company (ACL) directors to protect the interests of the company. We want to preserve the Sky Blues, and the Sky Blues playing at the Ricoh Arena.
“One of the advantages of this legal action is it prevents the club being liquidated.
“Tim Fisher has openly said this week the club is at a ‘tipping point and insolvent liquidation cannot be reasonably avoided’.
“It gives us the best possible chance for whoever to come in and restabilise the club in the interests of ACL, the football club and the city.”
ACL chairman Nicholas Carter, in a statement, said: “It is highly unfortunate that we have had to take this course of legal action. Had we not taken this action, then the alternative might have been catastrophic for CCFC.
“We are owed a considerable amount of money in rent arrears. While it is imperative that ACL takes action to recover these arrears and to stop the arrears growing, it is important for us to find a solution that can provide for the survival of the Sky Blues.
“We are, of course, well aware that under the current Football League regulations, CCFC will face a points deduction and we will do everything we can to ensure that the case is heard by the High Court before the end of the current season.
“While this opens up the possibility of a ten point deduction this season, the board believes this is better than leaving CCFC facing a much larger deduction at the start of next season.”
ACL said its legal action followed the recent collapse of talks between ACL and Sisu over £1.3million rent arrears, and future matchday revenue from the stadium which the club says is vital to its future.
ACL accuses Sky Blues directors of reneging on a verbal agreement on January 29 over a deal which would lower the annual rent to £400,000, plus other matchday financial incentives on food and drink sales.
Mr Fisher denies the charge, and claims the club had been awaiting further information on food and drink arrangements.