“The very future of Derby County Football Club” remains under threat, the EFL have admitted as the wait to provide evidence of funding goes on.
The Championship crisis club have now been in administration for five months, with their relegation to League One looking a near-certainty.
But the threat of the club, formed in 1884, going into liquidation remains a looming one, according to the latest update from the football league.
The EFL claim that they have heard no updates from Derby’s administrators, Quantuma, in regards to potential buyers or proof they can fulfil their fixtures for the remainder of the campaign.
Quantuma’s latest public update claimed they were “currently considering bids for the club, following deadlines set for offers at the end of last week.
“Further requests for clarity from prospective purchasers have been sought and we hope to be able to name the preferred bidder shortly.
“We are aware that everyone connected to the club wants to see its future resolved as soon as possible. Our duty is to ensure we secure the best long-term outcome for Derby County and we are working hard to achieve this objective.”
But in response, the EFL have said they are still yet to hear anything following an “urgent request” which was lodged at the start of the week.
"The EFL notes the statement issued today by Quantuma (Derby County Administrators) but remains deeply concerned at the lack of any form of substantial progress in respect of the outstanding matters affecting the Club,” the statement reads.
"Despite requesting an update almost 48 hours ago, there has been no communication from the Administrators with correspondence and calls from the EFL going unanswered.
"As a result, the EFL still has no further information on the preferred bidder status or evidence of funding until the end of the season and has advised the Administrators that the lack of progress on these two critical issues, amongst others, is threatening the very future of Derby County Football Club.
"The EFL has once again written to the Administrators requesting an immediate response to its questions so that the necessary and outstanding clarification is provided, not only for the League, but also for the benefit of the Club’s other stakeholders, including its supporters and the local community."
Derby were placed into administration by former owner Mel Morris last September, with Derby subsequently deducted 21 points after admitting breaches of EFL financial regulations.
Manager Wayne Rooney, in the face of real adversity off the pitch, has kept Derby in the shake-up to produce a miraculous escape, but still find themselves eight points behind fourth-bottom Reading, having played a game more.
Last month, it was suggested that immediate fears of the Rams going to the wall had been reduced after Middlesbrough and Wycombe reached an accord with Morris himself over claims against the club.
