TAHNOON NIMER ramped up the boardroom civil war at Charlton Athletic by accusing chairman Matt Southall of paying for a £12,566-a-month luxury apartment using club funds.
The majority shareholder posted on his private Instagram account what appeared to be a copy of a two-year contract between the club and the property landlords that will cost the Addicks a staggering £300,000 in rent.
Charlton chairman Matt Southall (right) has been accused by owner Tahnoon Nimer of paying for a £12,000-a-month flat with club fundsCredit: Rex Features
In the contract it revealed the address of the Thames apartment.
Arab businessman Nimer wrote: “If you want to ask Matt Southall how many players at Charlton earn more than £3,000 a week, here’s where you can find him.”
With the documents stating the apartment was costing Charlton £12,566.67 a month, Southall is accused of committing more club funds for this than he is prepared to spend on a player’s wages.
The property has stunning views over the river across to the Shard — and was pictured and posted by Southall’s partner Jade Katy McManus on social media.
The posted contract has since been deleted by Nimer — but SunSport has screengrabs.
Other expense documents leaked by a club employee on social media allege the Addicks chairman is driving a £97,000 Range Rover SVR — costing the club £2,409 a month.
Nimer later posted on Instagram appearing to show images of a flat in the club’s name
Nimer accused Southall of spending more on a flat than on a player’s wage
And the club is also accused of spending £3,092 in hotel and travel expenses for Southall, while £90,000 worth of consultancy fees were also paid out.
In total, it is alleged his expenses account totals £118,675 from January 7 to February 14.
Charlton boss Lee Bowyer has constantly said the club have the Championship’s lowest budget and fans are questioning why their chairman appears to be racking up these expenses.
However, Nimer’s associates Jacco van Seventer and John Hirst are also listed as driving £100,000 Range Rovers.
Van Seventer is down as spending £90,000 in consultancy fees — £60,000 where no invoice has been received.
Fixer Jonathan Heller is named as spending £20,000 on consultancy.
Nimer yesterday called on Southall to quit or be sacked by legal means.
He said: “Given what has occurred, Mr Southall has made it impossible for me, currently, to inject monies directly into Charlton Athletic as long as he remains at the club.
“Due to Mr Southall’s actions he no longer has my confidence or trust.
“I’m therefore left with no option but to seek Mr Southall’s resignation voluntarily, which would save the club from further unnecessary public dispute.
“Failing this I will instruct lawyers to formally remove him from office and pursue him personally.”
In another incredible twist, long-serving club secretary Chris Parkes was reinstated to his post yesterday — 24 hours after he was suspended by the club.
The Addicks website stated last night: “Following serious allegations against him, Chris Parkes was suspended from his role of club secretary pending an investigation.
“The club has now carried out a full investigation of the evidence and is satisfied there was no wrongdoing on the part of Mr Parkes.
“The board are happy to confirm Mr Parkes will resume his duties.”
Angry Diego Costa kicks water bottles and kit bag after he is substituted for Atletico at Liverpool in the Champions League
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
