October 1 – A Spanish investor has agreed to buy beleaguered English club Wigan Athletic after paying “a substantial deposit”, the League One club’s administrators have announced.
Gerald Krasner and Paul Stanley of the accountancy firm Begbies Traynor said the bidder had experience in football, but otherwise released no details.
Wigan were relegated from the tier-2 Championship last season after receiving a 12-point penalty for entering administration in July when their Hong Kong owner pulled the plug on funding.
The new bid includes a payment to creditors which means the club avoid a further 15-point penalty.
A statement on the club website said: “We are pleased to announce that we have reached agreement with a preferred bidder from Spain.
“We are now working with our lawyers and the bidder to produce all of the necessary paperwork to submit to the EFL so that successful transfer of the football share can be made at the earliest opportunity.
“The preferred bidder who has experience in football has made it plain that they do not wish for their details to be made public until such time as the sale is completed and we are respecting this anonymity. No further details will be released until EFL (English Football League) approval has been obtained.”
Wigan had its greatest successes under Spanish manager Roberto Martinez, including an FA Cup final appearance in the season the club was relegated from the Premier League.
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