Wigan

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Chester Perry
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Re: Wigan

Post by Chester Perry » Wed Jul 01, 2020 3:41 pm

ClaretTony wrote:
Wed Jul 01, 2020 2:13 pm
I've never liked points deductions at all, it distorts the league. I've always advocated that a club going into administration should start the following season one division lower than they would have done otherwise. So if they are relegated on league position they go down two leagues.
That should enforce a more sane approach to the running of clubs

Sausage
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Re: Wigan

Post by Sausage » Wed Jul 01, 2020 3:44 pm

Paul Waine wrote:
Wed Jul 01, 2020 2:03 pm
I know this isn't how it's done, I'd always like the points deduction to be in current season, limited to the minimum number of points that relegate the club and then the balance that is left deducted in the following season. So, if a club finishes in bottom three, before points deduction, they have max points deduction in the following season. But, if club finishes above the relegation spots, before points deduction, then only the minimum points are deducted to place them in bottom 3... It will stop this strategy of "we are down, anyway, so let's get go into administration, because there's no difference being relegated by 1 point or 13 points...
I think this is brilliant.
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Vegas Claret
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Re: Wigan

Post by Vegas Claret » Wed Jul 01, 2020 3:46 pm

FCBurnley wrote:
Wed Jul 01, 2020 2:38 pm
Something stinks about this. Takeover then Admin ? Interesting who the receivers are aswell. Follow the money on this one
care to elaborate ? must admit to not following all things Wigan !!
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Re: Wigan

Post by nil_desperandum » Wed Jul 01, 2020 3:49 pm

matttheclaret wrote:
Wed Jul 01, 2020 2:12 pm
So effectively, they need to make sure they're 13 points clear of the drop zone by the end of the season
No, almost certainly 12, since if they've won 12 more points than the teams around them then they'll almost certainly have a better GD.
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Re: Wigan

Post by Paul Waine » Wed Jul 01, 2020 3:51 pm

Sausage wrote:
Wed Jul 01, 2020 3:44 pm
I think this is brilliant.
It's rare anyone says anything I say is "brilliant" - whether on this mb or elsewhere.

Thanks, Sausage. A "big like" from me. ;) :D :lol:
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Re: Wigan

Post by Rowls » Wed Jul 01, 2020 3:54 pm

You're too sensible most of the time Paul Waine, that's your problem.

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Re: Wigan

Post by Woodleyclaret » Wed Jul 01, 2020 4:22 pm

How on Earth did this get approved?
Whelan gives the club to his Grandson who wastes no time in cashing in Grandads legacy
A group of HongKong speculators saw an opportunity
I dont know how they saw Wigan as a money making venture but then when they realised their error, they offloaded to mates,who 5 mins later put the club into administration
Wigan without Whelans cash injection, would have gone bust years ago,they have a very small fan base and lived well ahove their means.
Once again ,the EFL have been found seriously wanting in the financial diligence department

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Re: Wigan

Post by claptrappers_union » Wed Jul 01, 2020 4:32 pm

This is the scary thing about Sugar Daddy owners, once they take the club as far as they can - it's just downhill from there... and it's fast

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Re: Wigan

Post by ashtonlongsider » Wed Jul 01, 2020 4:45 pm

As others have said it wont be the last. Came as a big shock when my Latics supporting mate texted me late this morning to give me the news. A real shame as they were on a good run and seemed to have turned the corner. In hindsight things haven't looked right since Whelan sold up and it wouldn't surprise me if somewhere along the line he stepped in again. We'll have to wait and see.

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Re: Wigan

Post by nil_desperandum » Wed Jul 01, 2020 4:46 pm

ClaretTony wrote:
Wed Jul 01, 2020 2:13 pm
I've never liked points deductions at all, it distorts the league. I've always advocated that a club going into administration should start the following season one division lower than they would have done otherwise. So if they are relegated on league position they go down two leagues.
I've always advocated this, ever since Peterborough were sanctioned with relegation for financial irregularities in the middle of the season, (1968??), and so effectively gave up playing.
As I recall they were quite high in the league but picked up hardly any more points and actually finished bottom. (They should have been demoted 2 divisions for that).

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Re: Wigan

Post by FCBurnley » Wed Jul 01, 2020 4:54 pm

Vegas Claret wrote:
Wed Jul 01, 2020 3:46 pm
care to elaborate ? must admit to not following all things Wigan !!
Receiver is ex Leeds Chairman Gerald Krasner and that’s just for starters
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Chester Perry
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Re: Wigan

Post by Chester Perry » Wed Jul 01, 2020 4:55 pm

The other thing about the Wigan's owners is that they are Hong Kong based and the Next Leader Fund is on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange - it is quite possible the funding that has not arrived from the owners has been blocked by the Chinese authorities - A similar kind of action has created problems in the past for Aston Villa, Birmingham City, West Brom and Athletico Madrid amongst others - in at least 3 of those cases it led directly to a change of ownership. There have been issues for Chinese owned Italian clubs in the past too.

Anyone fancy Chinese investors in our club?
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ecc
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Re: Wigan

Post by ecc » Wed Jul 01, 2020 4:56 pm

I must admit I thought clubs wouldn't have points deducted this season given the current context. Anything is possible though...

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Re: Wigan

Post by Lowbankclaret » Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:07 pm

Unfortunately Wigan are the first of many.

Covid 19 has removed a lot of revenue from clubs.

The BLM fiasco has meant loads of people cancelling Sky subscriptions, I read up to 2000 a week are cancelling.

As many foreign owners realise their club has become a bottomless money pit due to players having to be paid regardless of circumstances and no money coming in.
Football is in for a rude awakening.

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Re: Wigan

Post by Rowls » Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:09 pm

Puts our contract problems into a kind of perspective.

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Re: Wigan

Post by MrTopTier » Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:28 pm

Antonee Robinson young left back, linked with AC Milan.

Obviously sad situation for Wigan and others that may follow, but opportunities for other clubs to pick up potential signings, if finances are a struggle.

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Re: Wigan

Post by GodIsADeeJay81 » Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:36 pm

ElectroClaret wrote:
Wed Jul 01, 2020 2:38 pm
I think the main problem with Jack Walker was that he was the only football fan in the family, from all that's been in the papers, etc.
When he died, interest lapsed.

The Walker Trust seems to have been a bit of a disaster for them.
The Trust wasn't a disaster for them, they just carried on doing what Jack did, bank rolling the club and then wrote off £100 million of debt by converting it to shares a few years before selling up.
The club managed to accrue another £20million of debt which the Venkys took on.

The amusing disaster was the Venkys getting utterly hoodwinked and then ripped off by various agents and advisors before clearing the decks and sorting it all out themselves.
I think the clubs debts stands at around £200 million mainly owed to Venkys.

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Re: Wigan

Post by Foulthrow » Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:39 pm

ElectroClaret wrote:
Wed Jul 01, 2020 2:38 pm
I think the main problem with Jack Walker was that he was the only football fan in the family, from all that's been in the papers, etc.
When he died, interest lapsed.

The Walker Trust seems to have been a bit of a disaster for them.
I was under the impression that he set a rule that the Walker Trust couldn’t sell the club for ten years (or something like that) and the minute this condition lapsed they sold up.

Ironically, jack Walker could end up being the catalyst that ends Blackburn Rovers as a football club. He created an expectation of easy success for a generation of fans that could never be sustained.

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Re: Wigan

Post by LordBob » Wed Jul 01, 2020 7:23 pm

It's sickening especially the way Cooky and his team have pulled out all the stops to avoid relegation they've won every game since restart. When you read the background of ownership since Dave Whelan sold the club you can see it hasn't helped the matter but are Wigan the first of many.

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Re: Wigan

Post by Bordeauxclaret » Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:00 pm

Wigan fans seem to be having a go at Bradley Dack on Twitter. Not really sure why unless something has been deleted.

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Re: Wigan

Post by MrTopTier » Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:11 pm

Bordeauxclaret wrote:
Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:00 pm
Wigan fans seem to be having a go at Bradley Dack on Twitter. Not really sure why unless something has been deleted.
Every time Dack tweets, Wigan fans taunt him about doing his acl when they played Wigan, so a little bit of payback from Dack today.

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Re: Wigan

Post by Bordeauxclaret » Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:14 pm

What’s he actually said about it?

Chester Perry
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Re: Wigan

Post by Chester Perry » Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:21 pm

ecc wrote:
Wed Jul 01, 2020 4:56 pm
I must admit I thought clubs wouldn't have points deducted this season given the current context. Anything is possible though...
there is the possibility of appeal under a force majeure exemption

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Re: Wigan

Post by Long Time Lurker » Wed Jul 01, 2020 11:51 pm

Chester Perry wrote:
Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:21 pm
there is the possibility of appeal under a force majeure exemption
I think that is more than a possibility. To enforce a regular penalty on a club during a very irregular season ( especially in respect to financial matters ) would seem to be very unfair. Had Corona not hit, delaying the season, they would have no doubt entered into administration after the end of the regular season - which was scheduled to end on May 17th.

The impact of Corona has also put forward the opening of the transfer window ( to who knows when ) which would have given Wigan a good opportunity to raise finance through player sales.

Taking everything into account even a straight 12 point deduction next season, whatever league they are in, would seem to be very cruel.

Chester Perry
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Re: Wigan

Post by Chester Perry » Wed Jul 01, 2020 11:57 pm

Long Time Lurker wrote:
Wed Jul 01, 2020 11:51 pm
I think that is more than a possibility. To enforce a regular penalty on a club during a very irregular season ( especially in respect to financial matters ) would seem to be very unfair. Had Corona not hit, delaying the season, they would have no doubt entered into administration after the end of the regular season - which was scheduled to end on May 17th.
I meant that the rules allow such grounds for appeal - what needs to be understood is the reason they have gone into administration - is it a result of Covid19 alone or are their other factors like continually running at costs beyond their means such as the wages being 168% of turnover in the 2018/19 accounts, you cannot say problems have a occurred simply because of the pandemic in those circumstances.

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Re: Wigan

Post by whentheballmoves » Thu Jul 02, 2020 12:00 am

Lowbankclaret wrote:
Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:07 pm
The BLM fiasco has meant loads of people cancelling Sky subscriptions, I read up to 2000 a week are cancelling.
A couple of questions :
What BLM fiasco is that?
Where did you read about sky sports cancellations soaring?

Woodleyclaret
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Re: Wigan

Post by Woodleyclaret » Thu Jul 02, 2020 7:08 am

Re BLM comments are Sky suddenly being seen as racist?

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Re: Wigan

Post by BenWickes » Thu Jul 02, 2020 7:49 am

I've not been following this as closely as others. I did think handing over Wigan to his Grandson was a mistake. He didn't look the least bit interested in the fortunes of the club when I saw him interviewed after taking over. Did he sell up relatively quickly?

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Re: Wigan

Post by Top Claret » Thu Jul 02, 2020 12:04 pm

I think 83 year old Wheelan put his grandson in the chairman position until he was offered a good price for the club.

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Re: Wigan

Post by theboydonegood » Thu Jul 02, 2020 12:36 pm

as its highly unlikely someone would spend £17.5 million to but a football club and a month later they go bankrupt -- probably a good idea to call the police on this one

TBDG

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Re: Wigan

Post by ClaretDiver » Thu Jul 02, 2020 12:49 pm

Woodleyclaret wrote:
Thu Jul 02, 2020 7:08 am
Re BLM comments are Sky suddenly being seen as racist?
Woodley, indeed we are....we have many people cancelling Sky Sports because of the BLM stance by the PL. We even have a pre-written statement we have to read if someone brings it up!

Chester Perry
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Re: Wigan

Post by Chester Perry » Thu Jul 02, 2020 1:13 pm

theboydonegood wrote:
Thu Jul 02, 2020 12:36 pm
as its highly unlikely someone would spend £17.5 million to but a football club and a month later they go bankrupt -- probably a good idea to call the police on this one

TBDG
£17.5m was the asking price - no one knows the deal price - though given the old owner took 51% of the new ownership I suspect it was a lot less

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Re: Wigan

Post by Vegas Claret » Thu Jul 02, 2020 4:08 pm

wonder if we will go in for that young right back who nearly went to AC Milan ?

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Re: Wigan

Post by Lowbankclaret » Thu Jul 02, 2020 4:28 pm

whentheballmoves wrote:
Thu Jul 02, 2020 12:00 am
A couple of questions :
What BLM fiasco is that?
Where did you read about sky sports cancellations soaring?
BLM is a political movement, now it’s putting its views out there about Israel and defunding the police. The PL is starting to distance itself from it. Many people feel the reaction to the WLM banner was so far over the top they have reacted by cancelling subscriptions.

Football should have stayed clear of supporting a movement that was promoting mass protest, looting and violence.

Someone also confirmed the sky subscription issue.

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Re: Wigan

Post by tiger76 » Thu Jul 02, 2020 5:55 pm

Vegas Claret wrote:
Thu Jul 02, 2020 4:08 pm
wonder if we will go in for that young right back who nearly went to AC Milan ?
I'd consider going in for him if the price is right, but apparently he's a left back, suppose he could be a useful addition, we have Charlie & Erik on the left, but if we could get him, and their young right winger Jamal Lowe in a double swoop, i'd definitely be interested, they'd add much needed vim to our squad, depends on the asking price they're setting, and if others are circling, which i'm sure they will be.

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Re: Wigan

Post by Vegas Claret » Thu Jul 02, 2020 6:00 pm

tiger76 wrote:
Thu Jul 02, 2020 5:55 pm
I'd consider going in for him if the price is right, but apparently he's a left back, suppose he could be a useful addition, we have Charlie & Erik on the left, but if we could get him, and their young right winger Jamal Lowe in a double swoop, i'd definitely be interested, they'd add much needed vim to our squad, depends on the asking price they're setting, and if others are circling, which i'm sure they will be.
I thought he was a right back :D :lol:

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Re: Wigan

Post by Chester Perry » Thu Jul 02, 2020 7:06 pm

There still appears to be a lot of confusion around the takeover and the owners - as this Guardian article suggests

Brutal and bizarre: the story of how Wigan collapsed into administration
On the day Au Yeung took ownership after a £41m purchase he decided not to fund the club, and an investigation is now due

David Conn - Thu 2 Jul 2020 17.23 BSTLast modified on Thu 2 Jul 2020 17.37 BST

The brutal, bizarre collapse of Wigan Athletic has raised many glaring and alarming questions, but one central contradiction lies in the ruins. The Championship club have become the first to fall into administration during the Covid-19 crisis which could claim many more, but Wigan’s own insolvency has little to do with the coronavirus shutdown.

It is one of the most unlikely and baffling scenarios ever thrown up even among the frequently outlandish sagas of football’s relationship with money.

Wigan, formerly the epitome of traditional football club ownership by a wealthy local benefactor, are bust 19 months since the retail magnate Dave Whelan sold to International Entertainment Corporation, which he hoped would safeguard his legacy. Even at the time, it seemed an unlikely fit: Whelan, the former footballer, acme of Lancashire man-made-good, selling his home-built club to a company based in Hong Kong, registered in the Cayman Islands tax haven, which runs a casino in Manila.

The administrator Gerald Krasner, of Begbies Traynor, said on Thursday that once they have overcome the pressing challenge of completing Wigan’s six remaining matches, they will investigate the bewildering circumstances of the administration itself. IEC, listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange, announced as recently as 29 May that it had sold Wigan, for £17.5m – even showing a profit on the £15.9m they paid Whelan in November 2018. IEC stated that on the same day, less than five weeks ago, the £24.6m it had put into Wigan, funding players’ wages and heavy losses, had been repaid in full.

The club announced the takeover on 4 June, by Next Leader Fund, also based in Hong Kong and registered in the Cayman Islands. Supporters were told “the support from owners” would help the club through the current crisis. A new director, Au Yeung, said he was “excited to join the Wigan Athletic family”, that he looked forward to working with the board and staff, and: “Most importantly I hope to meet the club’s passionate fans.”

Initially the Hong Kong businessman Dr Choi Chiu Fai Stanley, chairman of IEC, owned more than 50% of both the seller, IEC, and the buyer, NLF. But then on 24 June – just last week – Au Yeung, initially a minority shareholder in NLF, was stated to have become the owner of more than 75%; he is thought to be the 100% owner: a complete takeover from IEC.

The EFL is understood to have approved both the initial NLF takeover and Au Yeung’s, so the Wigan calamity again raises questions over its vetting processes. The rules only require a buyer to show that they have the money to fund a club – not to actually provide that money, a bond, or insurance, to ensure the funding is there.

On that very same day, last Wednesday, according to Krasner, Au Yeung’s UK lawyers approached Begbies Traynor potentially to be administrators. No further money would be provided – the Wigan directors had projected that £6m was needed for future funding – and the club was going to be put into administration. The club directors are said to have had no notice of this until Tuesday. The insolvency practitioners were appointed on Wednesday morning, for a club newly taken over but suddenly bust, with a Championship-sized wage bill and at least £6m owed to non-football creditors, Krasner has estimated.

In Wigan, little is known of Au Yeung apart from the note in IEC’s sale document which stated he “has relevant experience in business operations management and business leadership as he has worked in commodity and real estate investment management in Asia”. Also that he “has been operating an amateur football team for more than 15 years, winning several awards”.

So, the facts as set out are that in the middle of the coronavirus crisis, while football was still shut down and many clubs fear going out of business, Au Yeung decided to buy Wigan Athletic, a club which even in normal times loses millions of pounds. At first in partnership with Choi, he paid £17.5m, giving IEC more than they paid for the club, and also ensured their £24m loan was repaid. But then, on the day he took ownership after this £41m purchase, he decided not to fund it and to put the club into administration, so losing control, the £17.5m, and probably the £24m too.

No explanation has been provided for this remarkable whirl of events. IEC noted when selling to NLF that the Championship’s punishing finances were the key reason for cutting their losses. But Au Yeung has not explained why he decided it was worth £41m to have a go at Wigan, then immediately dropped the club and put it into administration.

Krasner was asked whether he believed the sale could have been orchestrated by IEC, effectively to take Wigan off its books before it was dumped. He replied: “We have not started the investigation yet; we are aware of concerns that have been raised … Once I know that we have saved the club, all our resources will be put into [an investigation].”

IEC did not respond to questions from the Guardian about the sale to Au Yeung, and Au Yeung’s UK lawyers declined to comment.

Meanwhile Wigan, famously built up by Whelan for 23 years from League Two to the Premier League and 2013 FA Cup glory, are in wreckage, having being taken over, then put into administration, in a week.

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Re: Wigan

Post by Chester Perry » Thu Jul 02, 2020 11:36 pm

IF this story is true it shows just how far the game has sunk - from the Mail - Remember IEC own a Casino in the Phillipines

EFL caught up in video storm after chief executive Rick Parry is secretly filmed linking Wigan Athletic's administration to 'a bet in the Philippines on them being relegated'
- Rick Parry was secretly recorded holding a staggering chat with a Wigan fan
- He said there was a rumour that the club's administration was triggered by a bet
- The football body said the video was legitimate but part of a wider conversation
- On Wednesday, the Championship club were placed in administration
By MIKE KEEGAN FOR THE DAILY MAIL

PUBLISHED: 21:45, 2 July 2020 | UPDATED: 22:46, 2 July 2020

Rick Parry has been secretly filmed holding a staggering conversation with a Wigan Athletic supporter in which he said there was a rumour that the club's administration was linked to 'a bet in the Philippines on them being relegated'.

A clip, posted on social media on Thursday night, shows the EFL chairman openly discussing the goings-on at the crisis-hit Championship outfit with a man in the street.

Parry tells the supporter, who filmed the exchange and with whom Sportsmail has spoken, that there is a rumour that the administration which Wigan plunged into on Wednesday, was triggered by a bet.

The EFL acknowledged the video was legitimate, said it was a snapshot of a wider conversation and added that Parry was happy to engage.

Wigan are facing a 12-point penalty which may – in all likelihood – send them down to the third tier. They are currently in 14th place, eight points clear of the relegation zone. On a dramatic day, administrators had earlier said there was a 25 per cent chance that the 2013 FA Cup winners may be unable to fulfil their fixtures.

The fan, who did not wish to be named, said that he approached former Liverpool chief executive Parry as he lives nearby in a Cheshire village and that he felt his fellow supporters deserved answers on the crisis unfolding at the DW Stadium.

While the device which took the video was pointed at the floor, the fan said he took the recording on public land and had not broken any laws. He added that he had tried to speak to Parry on Wednesday, when the devastating news broke, but was told to come back on Thursday.

An EFL spokesman said: 'The EFL is aware of a video of its chairman posted on social media last night that discusses recent developments at Wigan Athletic.

'It was part of a much wider and impromptu discussion he was having with a Wigan supporter he does not know but who lives in the same area.

'The private conversation focused around the events of the last 24-48 hours, how the EFL can assist and what happens next. The various rumours and reports that have been circulating throughout today were also discussed.

'Whilst the chairman was unaware he was being filmed, he was happy to engage in the debate and appreciates this is a concerning and challenging time for all those associated with the club.'

Parry, 65, took the role last year and is a former chief executive of the Premier League. He may well now face questions over his judgement.

Earlier on Thursday, administrators said there was a one in four chance Wigan may not see out the season. If they are unable to play their fixtures, the club will be in danger of folding.

Gerald Krasner, one of three administrators, said he expects to unearth an 'incredible' financial mess that has brought the Championship club to its knees, and he confirmed that there is no prospect of Wigan's owners, Next Leader Fund, putting 'one penny' in after purchasing the club only last month.

'If we don't solve it and sell it, yes, it is as bad as Bury,' Krasner said. 'The ultimate sanction is liquidation.'

International Entertainment Corporation, fronted by professional poker player Stanley Choi, sold their stake for £17.5million last month to another Hong Kong-based company, which was majority-owned by the same man at the time of the deal.

Wages are due to be paid on Friday, of which 30 per cent is understood to have been deferred. But Krasner could not guarantee those will be honoured. The club are thought to need in the region of £6m for ongoing costs.

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Re: Wigan

Post by Vegas Claret » Fri Jul 03, 2020 2:38 am

wow

Chester Perry
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Re: Wigan

Post by Chester Perry » Fri Jul 03, 2020 2:40 am

The Times are saying that Parry has made an incredible faux pas by letting this out of the bag in this way

https://twitter.com/Lawton_Times/status ... 0848352257

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Re: Wigan

Post by Winstonswhite » Fri Jul 03, 2020 7:24 am

If Gerald Krasner is your last hope then I’m afraid it’s only going to end one way.

Feel so sorry for the Wiganers. This really does turn me off wanting any kind of sale of Burnley to outside investors.

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Re: Wigan

Post by DCWat » Fri Jul 03, 2020 6:02 pm


Chester Perry
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Re: Wigan

Post by Chester Perry » Fri Jul 03, 2020 7:47 pm

That has been doing the rounds all day - some investigative types say that some claims within it are no more than a fan created conspiracy theory and the way they are presented does support that line of thinking, and also that the account has so few followers

What we do know is that the Administrators are to investigate the claim about the bet - from the Telegraph

Investigation opened into claim Wigan Athletic entering administration is linked to 'bet on club being relegated'
MIKE MCGRATH JULY 03, 2020

Wigan Athletic’s administrators have opened an investigation following allegations the club entering into administration is linked to a bet on the team's relegation from the Championship.

Gerald Krasner, of insolvency practitioners Begbies Traynor, has brought forward the probe after initially focusing on saving the club and completing the Championship season. But he has confirmed a case has been opened into the takeover at the DW Stadium four weeks ago.

Wigan, currently 14th, seven points clear of the relegation places, face a 12-point deduction as the new owners Next Leader Fund are refusing to put more money into the club, less than a month after taking control.

On Thursday, footage of Rick Parry, the EFL chairman, emerged after he was secretly filmed with a Wigan fan discussing the club's situation. The discussions included the speculation of an alleged wager on the club's relegation from the Championship. "There are all sorts of rumours," he said. "There’s rumours that there is a bet in the Philippines on them being relegated.”

Krasner, who has been appointed to find new owners, confirmed the allegations raised during Parry's conversation would now be looked into.

“We are aware of this and we have started an investigation and it will be covered,” Krasner said. “That doesn’t mean we can put all our resources onto it but it has been opened and initial thoughts and letters have been put together and lawyers have been instructed.”

Wigan have ties with the Philippines through their shirt sponsor KB88. Their owners until four weeks ago were International Entertainment Corporation (IEC), who own the AG New World Manila Bay Hotel.

“The primary activities of IEC are hotel operations and leasing of properties for casino and ancillary leisure and entertainment operations,” read the description of the Hong Kong-based company on Wigan’s official website, when they bought the club from Dave Whelan two years ago.

Wigan MP Lisa Nandy has also called for a full inquiry into how a club with new owners were put into administration within a month. It has also brought into sharp focus the tests new owners need to pass, which are difficult to change swiftly as they are linked to the Premier League and Football Association.

Players were not paid their wages on Friday but face Brentford on Saturday. They have been told they will get a percentage of their pay next week.

Kraser was asked by Telegraph Sport on Thursday, during an open press conference, whether the origins of the takeover were linked to gambling.

“I gave an honest answer,” Krasner said. “You were the first person to raise it. I have been called on it and I said, 'The first I knew was when it was raised by The Telegraph on the Zoom conference call. It was noted down'.”

David Sharpe, the former Wigan chairman, was devastated by the plight of the club Whelan, his grandfather, sold in 2018.

“It's a bit of a bizarre story, I can't believe it - I feel it's a rumour, it's very far-fetched,” he told talkSPORT. "I struggle to believe that rumour... but you never know in this day and age."

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Re: Wigan

Post by Taffy on the wing » Sat Jul 04, 2020 5:10 am

claretburns wrote:
Wed Jul 01, 2020 12:41 pm
If 10 points is deducted then the Championship relegation battle looks interesting, you'd have Luton bottom on 40 points and Charlton in 17th on 46 points with 6 or 7 games to go for some clubs.
It's already interesting! I'm rooting for Burnsley to escape the drop.

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Re: Wigan

Post by Chester Perry » Sat Jul 04, 2020 1:36 pm

Nick de Marco the top football lawyer in the country with his take - going to be very difficult for the EFL this one - we keep saying it but, just what has Dave Baldwin got himself into

https://twitter.com/nickdemarco_/status ... 6970450944
This user liked this post: DCWat

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Re: Wigan

Post by Buxtonclaret » Sat Jul 04, 2020 1:51 pm

One more for the 'Fit & Proper' debate, if this is true.

The higher governing bodies throughout football all stink.
With the vast sums of money and the rabid greed that goes with it.
From FIFA, which was run more or less, as an Independant State for years, down to the professional Euro leagues.
All depressingly sad for football lovers everywhere.

You've got to feel for the Piemen.

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Re: Wigan

Post by ClaretTony » Sat Jul 04, 2020 1:59 pm

Chester Perry wrote:
Sat Jul 04, 2020 1:36 pm
just what has Dave Baldwin got himself into
I wonder whether Dave has asked himself the same question. Not often a chief exec leaves a club with ringing endorsements from the supporters he’s left behind but Dave has done it twice. He’s walked into a minefield.

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Re: Wigan

Post by Chester Perry » Sat Jul 04, 2020 2:39 pm

to add to the shenanigans @KieranMaguire has notices some strange share price fluctuations too

https://twitter.com/KieranMaguire/statu ... 0136649729

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Re: Wigan

Post by Chester Perry » Sun Jul 05, 2020 8:55 pm

@KieranMaguire has been a busy boy - the strange activities of IEC and their involvement in Wigan

https://twitter.com/KieranMaguire/statu ... 8488921089

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Re: Wigan

Post by Top Claret » Mon Jul 06, 2020 9:10 am

Do IEC own the stadium?

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