The EFL have issued a strong statement in relation to Derby's ongoing takeover saga declaring they will take "urgent proactive action" to ensure the sale of the club is finally concluded.
Chris Kirchner's deal to buy the club last week seemingly collapsed having failed to provide proof of funds by the deadline on Friday. There have been other claims that other parties interested in buying the club have not been able to engage with administrators.
The Rams have been in administration since September 2021 and the recent development has arisen with the EFL "increasingly concerned" over the ongoing delays in the sale.
The lengthy statement adds how the sale process "presents a real risk to the integrity of next season's competition" ahead of the fixture release list in 11 days' time.
Administrators Quantuma did concede they have continued talks with other parties including former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley who remains interested in buying Bristol Rovers' League One rivals.
However, the EFL are seemingly running out of patience with the proceedings with chief Trevor Birch saying they have provided Derby with ample time to conclude the sale of the club.
In a statement posted online, Birch said: "Following this latest setback for the Club and its fans, it is vitally important that a sale of the Club is concluded at the earliest opportunity and we want to ensure that this objective is achieved.
“Up until now we have provided the Administrators with the time and opportunity to manage the sale process but with the long stop date on the asset purchase agreement and the membership agreement now passed, further urgent proactive action is required in order to do whatever is possible to secure the Club's future as a continuing member of the EFL.”
A further statement, read: "The EFL has today informed the Administrators at Derby County that following the failure of Mr Chris Kirchner to conclude a sale of the Club, it is changing the terms of the suspended Notice of Withdrawal issued when the Club entered into administration in September 2021.
"The League is increasingly concerned that the ongoing delays in the sale process now present a real risk to the integrity of next season’s competition, with the 2022/23 fixture list due to be released in less than two weeks, and need to act now in the best interests of the EFL.
"The suspension of the Notice of Withdrawal of the Club’s share in the EFL is subject to conditions that, in accordance with the League’s insolvency policy, the EFL Board determine and given the lack of progress by the Administrators to finalise a transaction, it now considers it appropriate to revise the conditions of suspension.
"As a result, the EFL has informed the Administrators that there will be a revision to the conditions attached to the suspension and the EFL is now to be made a party to all correspondence and discussions between the Administrators, and any and all potential bidders, with an acknowledgement that the League will be able to negotiate directly in relation to matters concerning the transfer of the share in the EFL."
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