Failed Birmingham City takeover bid draws EFL charges

Birmingham City are locked in another bitter row with the Football League after being charged with “multiple” alleged breaches of rules.

The Championship club are facing punishment following an investigation into the failed takeover bid last year by Maxco Capital, with consortium members Paul Richardson and Maxi Lopez also facing sanctions.

It is understood that Richardson and Lopez, plus an associate, Matt Southall, have all been charged, with the allegations including acquiring full control of the club without the EFL’s prior approval.

Maxco abandoned their takeover in December after five months of talks, claiming they could not agree revised terms with owners Birmingham Sports Holdings Limited.

Birmingham are under scrutiny for allegedly breaching the EFL’s Owners & Directors’ Test. The various charges of misconduct will be referred to an independent disciplinary commission at some stage this year. 

Potential punishment could range from a warning to a fine or points deduction.

The more serious allegations relate to Richardson, Lopez and Southall – the latter was previously chairman at Charlton Athletic – and they could be banned from football if charges are proven.

Lopez, the former Barcelona midfielder, has pledged to contest the charges in a post published on his personal Instagram account.

The EFL’s statement read: “Following the conclusion of an investigation into the proposed acquisition of Control at Birmingham City, the EFL has today charged the Club and a number of other individuals with alleged breaches of EFL Regulations.

The EFL has been considering whether the Club, any Official(s), and/or any Persons involved with the proposed acquisition of Control complied with the requirements of the Regulations in relation to the Owners’ and Directors’ Test (OADT).

Having comprehensively reviewed all relevant issues, the EFL has now determined there is sufficient evidence to justify issuing various charges of Misconduct.

The charges allege that a number of people were allowed to and did act as Relevant Persons and/or acquired Control of the Club without the prior approval of the EFL, and associated breaches.”

It is the latest crisis for Birmingham after they were docked nine points in March 2019 for breaching the EFL’s financial regulations.

BSHL are under increasing pressure to sell up from frustrated supporters, with two of the stands at St. Andrew’s stadium still closed due to structural issues.

Birmingham are currently 18th in the table and face Norwich City at Carrow Road on Tuesday.