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      Premier League clubs refusing EFL bail-out after discovering Championship owners are worth £32bn

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      PREMIER LEAGUE clubs will further resist an EFL bail-out after learning that Championship owners are worth more than £32BILLION.
      Top-flight teams are coming under increased Government pressure to stump up the £250m EFL chairman Rick Parry says is necessary to keep his 72 clubs alive.

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      Chien Lee tops the list as the head of the on £7bn consortium owning BarnsleyCredit: Getty – Contributor

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      Stoke City’s owners Denise Coates and family are worth around £6.9mCredit: PA:Press Association

      But as Parry held a further meeting with Prem chief Richard Masters to thrash out a lifeline deal, the anger of club bosses has reached new levels.
      Latest figures for the 24 Championship owners, compiled from a number of financial sources, estimate the total wealth of the clubs in the upper tier of the EFL adds up to an eye-opening £32.367bn.
      One senior Premier League source told SunSport: “When you look at what the Championship owners are worth between them you have to ask why they need any money from the Premier League.”
      £250m IS 0.77% OF THEIR WEALTH
      Meeting the £250m figure Parry has publicly stated is needed for the EFL clubs to all remain alive, would add up to just 0.77 per cent of their collective wealth.

      And that sum does NOT include the £7.72bn fortune owned by steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, frequently ranked as Britain’s wealthiest person, who has one third of QPR.
      The list is led by the £7bn wealth of the consortium owning Barnsley, led by Chinese-American Chien Lee.

      There are also billionaire owners at Stoke, Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry, Blackburn, Bristol City, Cardiff, Preston and Reading.
      Prem sides do have sympathy for clubs in Leagues One and Two, who are almost entirely reliant on gate income.

      But they will have private talks over the weekend to plot their next step ahead of Tuesday’s next virtual “shareholder” meeting.

      Houssem Aouar could be on his way to the Premier League with Arsenal favourites to land him More

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      Premier League clubs refusing EFL bail-out after finding out Championship owners worth £32bn

      by

      PREMIER LEAGUE clubs will further resist an EFL bail-out after learning Championship owners are worth more than £32BILLION.
      Top-flight teams are coming under increased Government pressure to stump up the £250m EFL chairman Rick Parry says is necessary to keep his 72 clubs alive.

      3

      3

      Chien Lee tops the list as the head of the on £7bn consortium owning BarnsleyCredit: Getty – Contributor

      3

      Stoke City’s owners Denise Coates and family are worth around £6.9mCredit: PA:Press Association

      But as Parry held a further meeting with Prem chief Richard Masters to thrash out a lifeline deal, the anger of club bosses has reached new levels.
      Latest figures for the 24 Championship owners, compiled from a number of financial sources, estimate the total wealth of the clubs in the upper tier of the EFL adds up to an eye-opening £32.367bn.
      One senior Premier League source told SunSport: “When you look at what the Championship owners are worth between them you have to ask why they need any money from the Premier League.”
      £250m IS 0.77% OF THEIR WEALTH
      Meeting the £250m figure Parry has publicly stated is needed for the EFL clubs to all remain alive, would add up to just 0.77 per cent of their collective wealth.

      And that sum does NOT include the £7.72bn fortune owned by steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, frequently ranked as Britain’s wealthiest person, who has one third of QPR.
      The list is led by the £7bn wealth of the consortium owning Barnsley, led by Chinese-American Chien Lee.

      There are also billionaire owners at Stoke, Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry, Blackburn, Bristol City, Cardiff, Preston and Reading.
      Prem sides do have sympathy for clubs in Leagues One and Two, who are almost entirely reliant on gate income.

      But they will have private talks over the weekend to plot their next step ahead of Tuesday’s next virtual “shareholder” meeting.

      Houssem Aouar could be on his way to the Premier League with Arsenal favourites to land him More

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      Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock, 71, opens up on ‘do or die’ coronavirus battle and reveals football became irrelevant

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      A FIT and healthy Neil Warnock said that football became irrelevant as he battled “do or die” coronavirus. 
      After watching the last two games from home in self-isolation, the Middlesbrough boss will be back in the dugout at home to Barnsley on Saturday.

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      Neil Warnock was worried the coronavirus would spread to his lungs and his only thought was trying to get betterCredit: PA:Press Association

      Warnock reckons he caught Covid-19 a couple of weeks ago after a meeting with an IT staff member in a room without windows or ventilation. 
      The 71-year-old was still involved during his time away from the pitch, though, setting the team up and speaking directly to his Boro coaches via phone during the games. 
      But he believes he was lucky the virus did not spread to his lungs. 
      Warnock said: “When you’ve got something like I had, your only thought is getting better – you don’t worry about football.

      I started with a niggly throat and then lost my sense of taste and smell… I wanted to sleep every minute of the day.
      Neil Warnock

      “Football becomes irrelevant. The result is not do or die, whereas this virus is. 
      “I was very fortunate I didn’t get anything on my chest. I started with a little niggly throat and then lost my sense of taste and smell. 
      “And for the first few days I was absolutely shattered, wanting to go to sleep every minute of the day. It was a very tiring experience for me.

      “I do enjoy my bike, I’ve been back out this week and that does seem to help.

      “I think because of that little bit of extra fitness, I managed to keep it away from my chest and lungs. 
      “It just makes you even more aware how careful you are.
      “I’m getting a bit paranoid like that – I’m going around even my own house two or three times a day doing the surfaces and handles.”

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      Man City star Joel Latibeaudiere eyed by Bournemouth and Swansea on loan transfer as 20-year-old looks for action

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      MANCHESTER CITY youngster Joel Latibeaudiere is a target for Bournemouth and Swansea City, according to reports.
      Latibeaudiere spent last season on loan at FC Twente, making five appearances in the Eredivisie before the season’s abandonment.

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      Man City youngster Joel Latibeaudiere is a loan target for Championship sides Bournemouth and Swansea

      Telegraph reporter Mike McGrath has revealed the Championship duo have both enquired about taking the 20-year-old on loan, with his first team opportunities likely to be at a premium at the Etihad.
      Luton Town are also believed to be monitoring the situation.
      Latibeaudiere captained England’s victorious under-17 World Cup team in 2017.
      That side contained the likes of City teammate Phil Foden, Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster and Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi.

      A move to Swansea would see Latibeaudiere reunite with his England under-17 coach Steve Cooper.
      Cooper has made a habit of signing alumni from his time with the England youth sides, having snapped up Brewster on loan for the second half of last season.
      Latibeaudiere could also link up with his centre-back partner from the 2017 campaign, Marc Guehi, who is also on loan at the Swans from Chelsea.

      The Doncaster-born defender joined City at the age of 13 but has just a year left to run on his current deal with the Sky Blues.

      Despite the suggestion of a loan move, reports in Wales claim City could be willing to let Latibeaudiere leave on a free transfer given his contract situation.
      However, City would want to install a sizeable future sell-on clause in any such deal.
      Though primarily a centre-back, Latibeaudiere was also used as a right-back during his loan spell at Twente.

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      Southampton keeper Angus Gunn eyed by Stoke in loan transfer… but only if Jack Butland leaves with year left on deal

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      ANGUS GUNN has emerged as a loan target for Stoke – if Jack Butland leaves.
      Stopper Gunn, 24, is hungry for game-time after falling down the pecking order at Southampton.

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      Stoke are targeting a loan move for Southampton keeper Angus GunnCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      The Potters will only move for the Saints stopper if Jack Butland leaves firstCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      He was replaced as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s first-choice by Alex McCarthy after shipping nine goals against Leicester last October.
      And with the return from loan of Fraser Forster, Saints are looking to offload one of their back-up keepers.
      That looks most likely to be former England Under-21 star Gunn, who is attracting interest from both home and abroad.

      Stoke are keen but may have to offload Butland first.
      The former Three Lions star, 27, is keen to leave the Potters after a difficult few years and only has 12 months remaining on his contract.
      Last month it emerged Stoke would let Butland leave for £8m after previously slapping a £30m price tag on his head.
      The Championship club were chasing mega-money less than two years ago after Butland travelled with England to the 2018 World Cup.

      Stoke have already received enquiries for the nine-cap ace.

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      Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace were linked with moves last summer but were put off by the Potters’ price-tag.
      Butland was Stoke’s Player of the Year in his breakthrough Premier League season back in 2015/16.
      But slow-recovery from a complicated ankle fracture while on England duty derailed his progress.
      Butland was in the news for a series of blunders last season as Stoke eventually finished mid-table.
      Michael O’Neill’s side are desperate to stop him walking away for nothing next year.
      Butland’s agent Paul Stretford recently admitted a deal could happen sooner rather than later.
      He told Sky Sports: “Talks have been ongoing with Stoke City for the past two years since Jack made it clear his preference was not to extend his existing contract.
      “Last season there were some very interesting opportunities for Jack but, due to differing reasons, they did not materialise. 
      “Relations between Jack, the manager and the club remain in a good place and if we are able to find the right fit for Jack then I am confident that conditions are right for a deal to happen.” 
      He added: “[If no move materialises] either in the summer or next January’s window – Jack will stay with Stoke City until the end of his current contract at the end of next season.”

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      Government demands for Premier League to hand EFL £250m bail-out slammed by MPs and two ex-FA chairman

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      GOVERNMENT demands for Premier League clubs to pay the £250million EFL bail-out have been criticised by MPs and two former FA chairmen.
      Lord Triesman and Greg Dyke are among the signatories to the letter, written by Tory MP Damian Collins.

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      The Premier League are being called on by the Government to provide the £250m bail-out the EFL needsCredit: AP:Associated Press

      And in a stinging rebuke of Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, the group says it is the Government, and not Premier League clubs, who must be responsible for keeping the lower tiers of English football alive.
      They say: “We understand that you had hoped that the Premier League clubs might make a significant additional contribution to support the EFL.
      “Whilst this would be welcome, those clubs too face swingeing losses from lost ticketing receipts and falling revenues from broadcasting matches.
      “However, it cannot be the Premier League’s sole responsibility to sort out issues arising from Government policy.

      “The Government itself needs to take responsibility or many already-embattled towns – often in areas of the country which have suffered many hardships in recent decades – will lose their last focal point.”
      Triesman – Wembley head from 2008 to 2010 – and Dyke, who ran the FA between 2013 and 2016, are powerful voices with strong political connections.
      Along with Collins, recently deposed as chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, the other Westminster signatories featured four Tory MPs including former Deputy Prime Minister Damian Green as well as Labour’s Kevin Brennan and Clive Betts.
      Others signing the letter included National League vice-president Lord Faulkner, Malcolm Clarke of the Football Supporters Association and Robbie Savage.

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      Many EFL and non-league clubs are at risk of going out of business as a result of the coronavirus pandemic with no fans in groundsCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Former FA chairman Greg Dyke was among the signatories on a letter criticising the Government’s treatment of the EFL Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Dowden further infuriated League chiefs by his weekend assertion that top-flight clubs should “help poorer clubs rather than spend huge amounts of money hiring a new striker”.
      Now, though, he has been put on the back foot by the letter, which will be welcomed by League bosses.
      The group added that it had previously advised the Government of the issues faced by the EFL as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.
      They added: “Clubs have been able to sustain themselves through advance season ticket sales, solidarity payments from the Premier League, and had agreed to start playing the new season in the belief that fans would be allowed to return to stadiums this autumn.
      “It’s now clear that spectators will not be back in EFL grounds, even in limited numbers, for the foreseeable future.
      “As a consequence clubs will not only lose this budgeted for income, but will also have to refund season tickets to fans who will now be prevented from attending matches.
      “It’s clear that the Government has no current proposals to provide financial support, and nor is it prepared to offer any guarantees for the future.
      “Without any plans being made to rescue football clubs, many in the EFL and others in the National League as well, are now actively preparing to make all but essential staff redundant, cease playing, close down their youth academies and community foundations, and put their business into administration.

      “This could lead not only to the failure of many historic community clubs, but the collapse of the national league structure that we have known for over one hundred years.
      “There is still time to act, but not long left.
      “The Government made £1.5billion available to rescue arts and cultural organisations across the country that faced closure because of the coronavirus.
      “We believe that football, like other well-loved professional sports in this country, is also a cultural activity.
      “We would ask that the government now make clear what financial support it’s prepared to give before it is too late.
      “In order for clubs to sustain themselves over the winter and keep playing, they would need to be compensated for the loss of match ticket sales.
      “The absence of this income is not a result of their actions, but the policies that have been put in place by the government in response to a public health emergency.”

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      Rhian Brewster misses Liverpool’s Carabao Cup trip to Lincoln as three clubs eye loan transfer including Aston Villa

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      RHIAN BREWSTER has been left out Liverpool’s squad for the Carabao Cup clash against Lincoln City.
      The 20-year-old’s future remains uncertain – but three clubs are keen to sign him on loan for the 2020-21 season.

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      Rhian Brewster spent last season on loan with Swansea CityCredit: Reuters

      The Independent claim Sheffield United, Aston Villa and Championship club Swansea are interested in Brewster.
      Swansea are keen to re-sign him after he impressed while on loan with them last season.
      Brewster chipped in with 11 goals in just 22 games for them.

      SunSport revealed at the start of the month that Aston Villa wanted to sign him.
      And Dean Smith’s side will be looking to replace Ally Samatta following his move to Fenerbahce.
      But it is Sheffield United that are reportedly leading the race for his signature.
      Blades boss Chris Wilder discussed the move with Jurgen Klopp on Wednesday.

      Speaking to the media afterwards, Wilder said: “We need somebody in the building.

      “I’ve said that to the board, that we need to add to the group.
      “We’re after a centre forward and there’s a few out there.
      “We need to add. We’ve got a little bit of time to get someone in, which we need to do.”
      Brighton and Crystal Palace are also admirers of the England Under-21 international.

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      Charlton finally SAVED as millionaire Danish businessman Thomas Sandgaard takes over stricken club after EFL shambles

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      CHARLTON ATHLETIC have finally been saved after confirming Thomas Sandgaard as their new owner.
      SunSport exclusively revealed how the Addicks face being booted out of the EFL unless ESI sold the League One side.

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      Charlton Athletic have confirmed Thomas Sandgaard as their new ownerCredit: Instagram / @sandgaardfnd

      Yet thankfully, Charlton announced on Friday afternoon that Danish businessman Sandgaard has acquired 100 per cent of the Londoners.
      Previous owner Roland Duchatelet will continue to lease the training ground and The Valley stadium with a rental agreement in place for both for the next 15 years.
      Sandgaard, who is worth more than £350million,  has passed the EFL’s owners and directors’ test and revealed the funds have already been provided to ensure the club’s survival.

      He said: “While there was an injunction in place to prevent the acquisition of ESI, it did not prevent the acquisition of the club itself and so I am thrilled to announce that I have acquired the Club from ESI.
      “With the club about to run out of funds this month, it was important that I moved quickly to complete the acquisition and put funds in to the Club to ensure its survival.
      “The club will also be working quickly post-completion to recover any losses suffered as a result of the actions of the previous owners to the extent possible.
      “I am truly humbled by all the support from Charlton fans, honoured to officially become part of the Charlton family and be part of a team that will lead the Club into a successful future.

      “The Charlton community is one-of-a-kind. They welcomed and embraced this change of hands with more openness than many others would have given Charlton’s history.”

      Sandgaard’s open letter to Charlton fans

      “Today is the day! We did the impossible. We triumphed and we made it to this point because of you.
      “Thank you for your passion, your perseverance and your patience. There is no club without you. We are Charlton Athletic Football Club.
      “From early on, I felt that we were in this together. I am humbled by your support and honoured to officially become part of the Charlton family. The Charlton community is one of a kind. You welcomed and embraced this change of hands with more openness than many others would have given your history.
      “Thank you for standing up for what you believe in. I will not let you down. Cheers to each of you. Cheers to Charlton! I assure you we are just getting started. We are London’s club.
      “This week and every week, we will #CheerForCharlton.
      “Sincerely, Thomas Sandgaard, Proud Owner of CAFC”.

      The club announced the news by posting an open letter from Sandgaard on their website on Friday afternoon, with the businessman signing off as “Proud owner of CAFC”.
      Lee Bowyer’s men currently sit 11th in the Championship after following up a 2-0 opener against Crewe Alexandra with a 3-1 defeat to Doncaster.
      Charlton next travel to Lincoln City on Sunday, with the Imps looking to bounce back from their 7-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool.

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