The Abu Dhabi consortium set to take over at Charlton Athletic was questioned by the English Football League over the extent of its links with the owners of Manchester City, the Daily Telegraph understands.

East Street Investments, headed up by two executives from the private office of one of the six ruling families, has subsequently provided proof that funds available for the club are private and unrelated to those of Sheikh Mansour at City. Tahnoon Nimer, a majority shareholder worth several hundred million pounds, is understood to have handed over evidence which effectively rules out any "dual ownership" issues with the Premier League champions after directors' test interviews last week.

City Football Group has investments overseas with other clubs, including New York City and Melbourne City, and the EFL's interest in Nimer is thought to have been piqued by his company website outlining his commitment to businesses supported royal family members in the United Arab Emirates.

The Daily Telegraph understands Nimer and his associates have now provided what they believe to be "absolute assurance" to the EFL that their investment is from private funds. The league, which declined to comment to the Daily Telegraph other than saying that tests were ongoing, has yet to respond to the consortium, but executives are understood to be confident that the takeover remains on track. The "rigorous" checks were perceived as a reflection of the increasing pressure on the EFL's directors' and owners' test after the collapse of Bury FC.