Wasps strike back in Ricoh Arena row with Sky Blues
WASPS have responded to a call from Coventry City owner Joy Seppala to waive the non-disclosure agreement over Ricoh Arena talks.
The Sky Blues confirmed on Friday that they would not be returning to the stadium and would play their home games for a second season at Birmingham City’s St Andrew’s ground.
Dave Boddy, the football club’s CEO, pointed to an indemnity clause that was the main stumbling block for Coventry City returning to the Ricoh Arena.
This was denied by Wasps in a statement that shared their ‘surprise’ and ‘disappointment’ in the owners of the football club deciding to take the decision when so close to ‘reaching commercial agreement on a deal’.
On Sunday evening, Ms Seppala sent an email claiming she would oblige with the waiving of a NDA on Ricoh Arena discussions if other parties were in agreement.
On Monday Wasps responded with a 513-word statement which is printed below.
“We have been consistently clear that we would like to see Coventry City (CCFC) return to the Ricoh Arena. Everyone agrees that it is in the best interests of the supporters, the city and the local community. We have done everything in our power to make this happen
and were very close to having an agreement in place which allowed the club to return – and on terms which were attractive to both parties.
“The decision of CCFC’S owners not to return the club to the Ricoh is disappointing and we understand the reaction from their fans who were hoping for a different outcome. We share the fans’ frustration.
“We have read the comments made by representatives of CCFC in recent days and debated whether we wished to lend them any credibility by responding or to get drawn into a public war of words. However, we believe it is important to defend ourselves against the accusations levied at us, and to address and clarify certain points.
“One point we have remained firm on throughout negotiations is the need to protect ourselves from future further litigious behaviour, directly or indirectly, by CCFC’S owners. The fundamental principle being that there should be no further proceedings about the ownership of the Ricoh Arena. The rationale for this is obvious given CCFC owners’ long history of legal action and their publicly-stated intent to pursue all legal channels to reverse Wasps’ acquisition of the Ricoh.
“However, Wasps did not insist on an indemnity clause as has been claimed – this claim is simply false. In addition, nothing in the agreement would have put CCFC at substantial risk, as has also been claimed.
“Wasps have incurred tens of thousands in legal costs in attempting to achieve the best possible outcome for all parties, including Sky Blues fans, which again underlines our keenness to do a deal.
“This is not the outcome Wasps were hoping for.
“We believe CCFC owner’s call to waive the NDA is nothing more than a tactic to distract fans.
“Their implication, that Wasps has something to hide, is defamatory.
“As they are more than aware, the NDA was signed by several parties who trusted in the enduring integrity and spirit of the agreement for the protection of their commercially sensitive data and of the independent individuals involved. It is misleading to suggest that it is simply up to Wasps to waive the NDA. We see this as nothing more than an attempt to publicly pass on the blame.
“CCFC’S owners have made their decision. Wasps were (and remain) surprised that CCFC owners withdrew from negotiations.
“They have never communicated to us why they withdrew – and we now have to get on with our business. We are only clarifying these points after recent articles in the press and online. We do not propose to give credibility to any other claims or distraction tactics by commenting further at this stage.
“As ever, we remain ready and willing to welcome CCFC back to the Ricoh Arena.”
Coventry City was asked to comment on the latest claims from Wasps and this was the football club’s reply: “Coventry City Football Club will not be releasing a further statement at this time, and stands by the statements we issued on Friday and Saturday.”