Riddle over Cotterill’s claim he runs charity

FORMER Wales winger David Cotterill is yet to apply for charitable status for the foundation that carries his name, Sportsmail can reveal. The Euro 2016 semi-finalist is already the subject of legal action from former players following Sportsmail’s revelation last weekend that he owes them almost £400,000 after failing to repay loans and investments. Cotterill could now face further legal proceedings because a foundation purporting to ‘educate and inspire communities to speak up, support each other and take action’ on mental health issues is not a registered charity. The David Cotterill Foundation was incorporated in July with Cotterill, his wife Tanika, and business partner Wayne Matthews listed as

directors, with its website allowing supporters to make donations. Under the 2011 Charities Act, which is enforced by the Charity Commission, all organisations that have exclusively charitable purposes with an income of more than £5,000 must be registered.

A spokesperson for Cotterill claimed the foundation had received charitable status but failed to produce any documentation when challenged to do so. A Charity Commission spokesperson said: ‘We have application not received for the an David Cotterill Foundation. It is not a registered charity.’ Cotterill’s foundation could also face a probe due to his listing as a director. Under Charity Commission guidelines, individuals who are

subject proceedings to bankruptcy or have entered individual voluntary agreements (IVAs) with creditors are disqualified from acting as trustees or senior management of a charity. A number of players Cotterill owes money to have told Sportsmail that he has set up IVAs under the Insolvency Act to begin repaying them and has made some repayments. Cotterill insists he is attempting to repay his debts but denies entering into IVAs. Cotterill’s loans from fellow players were made between 2014 and 2018 when he was a regular for Birmingham City and Wales.

Former Wales star Cotterill ‘swindled £400k from team-mates’

Exclusive: we broke the news on Saturday