The English Football League have demanded to know where Coventry City will be playing next season and have issued the following statement:
"The EFL Board has formally written to Coventry City with a final request for clarity in regard to where the Club will stage its home matches for the 2019/20 season.
In previous correspondence, the Board has been very clear about the need for Coventry City to provide absolute confirmation early in the second half of the current season. The Club will still be given every opportunity to develop and present an appropriate resolution throughout the process, but the EFL is yet to receive any indication of where Coventry City intend to play next season.
The Club has until 5 March 2019 to provide a further update to the Board, addressing the outstanding matter and should a satisfactory solution not be found over the next two months, an Extraordinary General Meeting of Clubs will be convened to consider Coventry City’s expulsion from the League. This would be held on the 25 April in order to provide clarity regarding the Club’s future membership in advance of relegation and promotion issues being resolved during the run-in to the end of the season.
The EFL considers it untenable for a Member Club to seek to continue competing in its League competition if it is unable to stage its home matches. However, it understands, that despite the complex challenges facing Coventry City at this current time, it is the Club’s preference to extend their stay at the Ricoh Arena for future seasons and the EFL would view this as a sensible and suitable solution to the matter.
EFL Chief Executive, Shaun Harvey, said: “The matter of Coventry City’s efforts to secure a home venue for 2019/20 season and beyond has been a serious concern for all parties for a significant period of time and the objective of the EFL, as it has always been, is to secure an appropriate solution for the long-term future of the Club as they are a much valued member of our competition.
“The course of action taken this week is with reluctance, but the League has to ensure the integrity of our competitions is maintained and all Clubs meet the obligations that come with being a member of the EFL.
“We remain in regular dialogue with the Club and will provide all practical available assistance in line with EFL Regulations.”