CHARLTON’S meltdown continued as majority shareholder Tahnoon Nimer accused the club of wasting cash on “expensive flats and cars”.
Nimer, who owns 65 per cent of the Addicks through his Panorama group, said he felt “cheated” and will suspend financial backing after telling lawyers to probe “financial irregularities”.
Charlton majority owner Tahnoon Nimer, left, is at loggerheads with club chairman Matt SouthallCredit: Rex Features
Manager Lee Bowyer agreed a new-three-year deal in January – after an incredible close season when Charlton at first said he had leftCredit: PA:Empics Sport
It comes after a bitter row erupted with chairman Matt Southall, who threatened a legal battle and claimed Nimer had not given a “single penny”.
In Southall’s Monday statement, he also took a swipe at Nimer over his alleged attempt to buy Romanian club Dinamo Bucharest and claimed he had not yet passed the EFL’s directors and owners’ tests, while himself and director Jonathan Heller had.
But Nimer hit back yesterday, alleging: “Club money was used on leasing expensive flats, buying expensive cars, promising large fees to agents and even personal expenses instead of fulfilling the squad and manager’s urgent needs. Seeing all of this, we felt cheated.
“It is now clear that our interest and the current chairman’s, with regards to the club’s future, are different and irreconcilable.
Statements Mr Southall made are defamatory, inaccurate and designed to be misleading and damaging. Mr Nimer has not resigned nor offered his resignation.
Tahnoon Nimer’s camp
“We’ve retained distinct legal counsel from that of the club’s and will shortly take the necessary measures to remove the persons responsible from the club and appoint a new chairman.
“Until such time comes, Panorama will suspend any capital contribution and I will remain in my position as a club director.”
It was another crazy twist in a bust-up that leaves the Addicks in yet more chaos.
Southall claimed yesterday Nimer had quit his post as director, stating his position had become “untenable”.
But less than an hour later, the Syrian businessman issued the statement insisting he was staying.
In an even more bizarre turn, the EFL later confirmed the £50million takeover from Roland Duchatelet has yet to be rubber-stamped.
MUDDLED WATERS
They admitted events were “concerning” and confirmed the club had been placed under a ‘soft’ transfer embargo — meaning their outgoings cannot increase — while seeking “assurances that the necessary funds are available”.
The waters are muddied even more by the leak of expenses and fees claimed by Southall and others since the takeover.
Two of those listed — Jacco van Seventer and John Hirst — are part of Nimer’s Abu Dhabi team. The other, Lee Amis, is credited as being the ‘fixer’ in the takeover.
Nimer’s camp continued: “Statements Mr Southall has made are defamatory, inaccurate and designed to be deliberately misleading and damaging.
“We can confirm Mr Nimer has not resigned nor offered his resignation.
“He has, however, instructed lawyers to investigate the financial irregularities at the club, in particular Mr Southall.”
It is the latest sorry chapter in what has been a turbulent few years for the south Londoners.
Southall and Nimer worked together as East Street Investments when they took over from hated former owner Duchatelet, whose running of the club led to fans boycotting home matches.
But the Belgian still owns The Valley and Charlton’s training ground.
Addicks boss Lee Bowyer agreed a new three-year contract in January.
It came after a remarkable U-turn in the summer when he agreed to stay on, despite the club releasing a statement saying he had left.
The EFL have stopped Charlton from signing a new goalkeeper — free agent Curtis Anderson — because they are under an embargo.
Their transfer suspension has kicked in because Charlton failed to file historic accounts on time.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
