Cov City chief slams ‘ridiculous’ transfer embargo decision
COVENTRY City have confirmed that the club has been placed under a transfer embargo by the EFL.
Sky Blues chief executive Dave Boddy has hit out at the League over the decision, branding it “disappointing” and “ridiculous”.
It has been reported that 10 Championship clubs, including Coventry, were all put under a transfer embargo at the same time.
Explaining the reason for their transfer embargo, the Sky Blues said in a statement: “The Government, due to the coronavirus crisis, allowed companies to extend the deadline to file company accounts by three months and Coventry City chose to take up this option.
“Unfortunately the EFL has decided not to replicate this extension within their own rules, which surprises us as they have amended a number of other rules due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Coventry City will be filing their accounts as required by Companies House within three months of the end of February, at which point the transfer embargo from the EFL will be removed.
“This is purely an administrative embargo imposed by the EFL. This has no effect on the day-to-day running of the Club or its finances, and will have no effect on planned transfer activity in the upcoming transfer window.”
Boddy added: “It’s disappointing that the EFL have chosen to do this.
“The Government has allowed companies to extend the deadline to file accounts and we chose to do this, extending from the end of February to the end of May.
“It’s ridiculous that the EFL’S regulations on this do not replicate this approach that the Government has taken, especially when they have amended other rules of their during the pandemic.
”The EFL’S imposition of this does not have any effect on us, but it is disappointing nonetheless that they have taken this approach to take action against Clubs who are simply doing what the Government is allowing us to do.”
The EFL have been approached for comment on the matter.
A newspaper report suggested 10 Championship clubs have been handed transfer embargoes – but the EFL said it does not confirm the names of any clubs placed under embargoes.