July 22 – Fans of English Championship club Wigan Athletic have launched a petition calling on the government to strengthen the owners and directors test after their team was plunged into administration earlier this month when its Hong Kong owner pulled the plug on further funding.
Wigan sit in mid-table going into the final round of matches tonight but could yet be relegated if a 12-point penalty is applied although the club has appealed against the punishment.
Owner Au Yeung Wai Kay’s claim that the Covid-19 crisis was to blame for the lack of funding has been totally ridiculed though on a positive front there have been over 50 inquiries about buying the club – including from the town’s rugby league side Wigan Warriors.
The petition, launched on Tuesday, said: “At present, the test does not seem to be fit for purpose to protect football clubs in the future.
“If English football isn’t able to act, the government should review the need for a statutory owners’ and directors’ test to ensure it is fit for purpose and protects clubs in the future.”
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