The EFL announced on Monday evening that they have brought charges against Birmingham City Football Club as well as a number of other individuals in relation to breaches of EFL Regulations. The statement goes on to confirm that they had been considering of anybody involved with the “proposed acquisition of control” complied with Regulations in relation to the Owners’ and Directors’ Test (OADT).
For the first time in nearly two years, Birmingham City came from a losing position to win a game. A 90th minute equaliser from Lukas Jutkiewicz and an injury time winner from Auston Trusty ensured won 4-3 at Swansea, snapping a five-match losing streak. Off the pitch however, the shenanigans of the last few years don’t seem to be ending any time soon.
Both Birmingham City and Hong Kong parent company Birmingham Sports Holdings released statements on Wednesday confirming the end to negotiations with Maxco Capital Ltd. Both of the statements made took a somewhat “bitter ex” theme, with the wording suggesting it was incumbent owners who terminated talks rather than Maxco.
News broke on Friday afternoon that 136 days after holding a conference on the Kop Car Park to tell fans the deal was done, Paul Richardson and Maxi Lopez have pulled out from their attempt to buy Birmingham City.
The takeover saga at Birmingham City took another twist on Monday morning with a report in the Daily Mail that “cryptocurrency businessman” Haydn Snape of the Dubai-based Decentralised Investment Group was a new backer within the Maxco consortium led by Maxi Lopez and Paul Richardson. This was followed by a further report from the Mirror that Snape was merely a conduit to American real estate magnate Michael Fuchs.
Birmingham City released an update to fans on Thursday evening, confirming plans to proceed with the next stage of repairs of the St Andrew’s Stadium. The update confirmed that work would be done to remove the pre-cast concrete units from both the lower Tilton and Kop during the World Cup break.
As Blues head into the international break, things on the pitch feel better than they have done for a while. While Blues were unable to continue their run of wins at home to Coventry, there seems to be a very positive feeling around the way the team is playing and optimism that it will improve further.
September has started well for Birmingham City. Saturday saw Blues pick up three points on the road against Preston North End against a team who hadn’t conceded a goal yet this season at a place that hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Blues over the years. Off the pitch, the club released an update which while sparse on detail did finally confirm officially that the Maxco consortium are in the process of buying a shareholding in the club.
Transfer deadline day was a curious one for Birmingham City fans. Normally, the signing of a young talent such as Tahith Chong to a long-term contract would be met with joy and seen as evidence of longer term planning from the club. However, the failure of Blues to sign a striker despite very public links from journalists has caused more aggro than it really should have.
August has been a strange month for those of us who support Birmingham City. The month started for many with the hope that the proposed takeover of the club by Paul Richardson and Maxi Lopez would come to a quick conclusion and investment would be made in the team. As it comes to an end there’s been a palpable fear that the club would see a net outflow of players with rumours afoot of young talents being put up for sale.
