Reid: This really is a scandal
PETER REID has called for an inquiry into the shock decision of Wigan’s new owners to place the club into administration.
Like the rest of the Latics staff, former England star Reid, who is the club’s football technical director, was shocked to learn the 2013 FA Cup winners had called in the administrators.
The revelation came on Wednesday – and with it a 12-point deduction.
Reid said: “It’s a shock because as far as I knew the club was in good hands and I know the chairman (Darren Royle) thought so too, together with the other board members. It’s a complete mystery.
“I watched us beat
Stoke on Tuesday which continued our great run. I just thought the chairman looked a bit tired and down. I asked him was he alright and he said he was.
“The next morning it came out that the club had been placed into administration. Forget the league table for a minute, you are talking about people’s lives. There is the human cost.
“I’ve been through this when I was manager of Plymouth and to a certain extent at Leeds. Ordinary working people are going to lose jobs. It’s tragic.
“What has happened doesn’t smell right. Where is the EFL in all this? I believe the events leading up to the decision to go into administration have to be investigated properly.”
Former owner Dave Whelan sold the club 19 months ago to the Hong Kong-based International Entertainment Corporation. Just over a month ago it was sold to Next Leader Fund, another Hong Kong concern.
But now within weeks of the £41million purchase new owner Au Yeung has stunned football as a whole with administration.
Reid added: “The real mystery is why now, when it looks like Wigan are staying in the Championship and with that comes guaranteed money from the EFL.”