The ongoing investigation into Birmingham City’s owners will not stop the current takeover of the Championship club led by Paul Richardson and Maxi Lopez from going through, Mirror Sport understands.
The Football League’s probe into whether the club has complied with the owners and directors’ test is already well underway after information came to light about a controlling interest held by businessman Wang Yaohui.
The governing body is seeking precise clarification as to what role the Cambodian diplomat had at St Andrew’s and the matter will go before an independent tribunal if it is deemed there is sufficient evidence for matters to proceed further.
However, Birmingham are in the middle of a takeover, led by fashion retailer Richardson and ex-Barcelona star Lopez. They are trying to force through the purchase of the club before the exclusivity on the deal runs out in the middle of next month. Rumours surfaced last week about where the funds were coming from and the Football League is taking a keen interest in identifying the source before giving the deal the green light.
However, it appears that regardless of any alleged wrongdoings over the owners’ and directors’ test by Yaohui & Co. that this will not be sufficient to prevent Richardson and Lopez from seizing control. Brum could still fall foul of a penalty if Yaohui’s involvement is later proven - and that could lead the new owners into picking up the pieces - having to shoulder the burden of any punishment - even though the rule breach did not happen on their watch.
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There are also suggestions that Richardson and Lopez are currently providing funding to run the club. The club has refused to comment on that allegation. It is not against Football League rules to loan the club money - as long as it is a purely financial transaction and does not suggest the passing of control.
Meanwhile, Blues defender Auston Trusty has urged his team-mates to bounce back from Saturday's defeat at Cardiff when they host Watford at St Andrew's on Tuesday evening. after he revealed how much he is enjoying English football.
"The games come thick and fast, it is a long season. We owe it to the fans as well, they came two hours away from Birmingham to Cardiff to support us and we lost. We owe it to ourselves as well, to bounce back," he told the club's website. "I am so happy to be here. Playing these games, it is just so nice. The guys have quality, the other team has quality and they're pressing you and they really want to win. You see the fans, the atmosphere, singing 'USA' to me and I absolutely love it. It is an environment and an atmosphere that you want to be in. And, honestly, it is a team that you want to be in."
