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A deadline has been set for Coventry City to confirm where they will play next season - or face expulsion from the league.

The board of the English Football League has today announced it has formally written to the club with a final request for details on where they will play their home matches in the 2019/20 season.

The club has less than two weeks until the deadline on March 5 to clarify its position.

If a satisfactory solution is not found by then, an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of Clubs will be called to consider Coventry City’s expulsion from the league.

The EFL says they consider it "untenable" for a club to continue competing in the league if it is unable to stage its home matches.

How would the EGM work?

A majority vote of 75% of Member Clubs would be required to determine Coventry City's position in the League.

The meeting would be held on April 25 in advance of relegation and promotion issues being resolved during the run-in to the end of the season.

What the EFL say

Shaun Harvey, EFL Chief Executive, 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.”

Why the hold up?

The deadline will spark even more anxiety for nervous fans who have been calling for the impasse on the homelessness threat to the club at the Ricoh to end.

Coventry City bosses have said they would prefer to stay on at the Ricoh, and have been calling on Wasps to enter talks on a new rent deal.

The EFL says they view Coventry City staying at the Ricoh as a "sensible and suitable solution to the matter".

But Wasps, who own the Ricoh, have repeatedly said they will not consider a new rent deal for the historic football club unless legal action over the sale of the stadium ends.

And with the Supreme Court still yet to decide whether they will hear an appeal on the matter, it looks unlikely that Wasps will budge despite many calling for them to.

The EFL says the club will be given "ever opportunity to develop and present an appropriate resolution throughout the process".

The full statement from the EFL

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.”

Time Line Ricoh Arena row 2007 December 14: Sisu takeover Coventry City FC and appoint Ray Ranson as chairman 2011 March 28: Ray Ranson resigns as chairman 2012 March 6: CCFC, Alan Edward Higgs Charity and Coventry City Council in talks over Ricoh Arena ownership April 1: CCFC stop paying rent to ACL. CCFC make ongoing 'pay as you play' payments to ACL to complete the season April 28: CCFC relegated from Championship May: Sisu and Alan Edward Higgs in negotiations over the puchase of the charity's 50 per cent stake in ACL and agree indicative terms August: Ricoh Arena negotiations had fallen apart August 13: ACL starts court proceedings to recover unpaid rent October: Verbal offer of £2m by Sisu for charity's shares in ACL rejected December: Discussions are held between CCFC and Coventry City Council over stadium ownership 2013 January 14: Coventry City Council buys out ACL's debt with Yorkshire Bank amid financial difficulties following CCFC's withdrawal of the £1.3m annual rent. The council agrees to loan the firm £14.4m February 14: ACL calls in its debt from CCFC for the non payment of rent February 15: ACL freezes club's bank accounts March 13: CCFC Ltd placed in administration March 21: Paul Appleton appointed administrator of CCFC Ltd March 28: CCFC deducted ten points for entering administration April 20: CCFC plays final game at the Ricoh Arena before leaving the stadium May 3: CCFC announce the club needs a plan to play away from the Ricoh Arena after negotiations over reduced rent levels fall apart May 7: Coventry Telegraph launches petition to keep CCFC in Coventry May 23: Club chairman Tim Fisher announces plans for "Highfield Road 2", a stadium which would be built in three years June 27: Administrator accepts bid from Sisu firm Otium Entertainment for CCFC Ltd's assets which include the club's "Golden Share" which grants the right to field a team in the Football League. There were a total of six initial bids – including one from US tycoon Preston Haskell July 8: CCFC agrees a three-year deal to play home games at the home of Northampton Town, Sixfields July 12: ACL launches legal challenge against Northampton Town FC for agreeing Sixfields groundshare July 20: About 5,000 fans march on Coventry city centre, organised by The Sky Blue Trust in protest at plans to move CCFC out of the city August 2: CCFC hit with another ten point deduction after ACL and HMRC refuse to sign settlement agreement August 9: Sisu launches a judicial review into the £14.4m council loan to ACL August 11: CCFC play their first game at Sixfileds, beating Bristol City 5-4 in front of 1,500 fans. A charity match played on the same day at the Ricoh Arena, featuring CCFC legends, pulls in 5,000. October 5: ACL drops legal action against Northampton Town FC 2014 April 1: Alan Edward Higgs Charity persues Sisu in court for costs as a result of failed takeover negotiations April 3: High Court judge throws out Alan Edward Higgs Charity's claim and Sisu's counter-claim June 10-12: Judicial review into Coventry City Council's £14.4m loan to ACL June 30: Judge rules that £14.4m Coventry City Council loan to ACL was lawful July 7: Coventry Telegraph lauches #BringCityHome campaign July 12: 7,000 people join Sky Blue Trust protest march in Coventry city centre calling for return of club to Coventry August 7: Football League orders Sisu to pay ACL £471,00 in Ricoh Arena rent row – removing a major obstacle preventing a return August 19: CCFC play their last game at Sixfields. A 2-2 draw with Barnsley in front of 2,376 supporters August 21: The Coventry Telegraph reveals that CCFC has agreed a temporary two-year deal to return to the Ricoh Arena – with an option for two more years September 5: Sky Blues return to the Ricoh Arena for fixture with Gillingham. 27,306 fans watch CCFC win 1-0 via a Frank Nouble goal September 18: The Coventry Telegraph reveals that Wasps are in talks to takeover the Ricoh Arena November 4: Wasps agree deal to buy Coventry City Council's 50 per cent stake in ACL November 14: The Alan Edward Higgs Higgs rejects a last-ditch bid for their half share of ACL from CCFC. Wasps secure the Alan Edward Higgs charity's 50 per cent stake in ACL, giving Wasps complete control December 21: Wasps play their first game at the Ricoh Arena against London Irish, winning 48-16 in front of 28,254 fans 2015 January: Second judicial review launched by Sisu into the terms of the sale of ACL to Wasps 2016 February 3-4: Sisu appeal 2014 judicial review judgment over £14.4m Coventry City Council loan to ACL at Court of Appeal May 13: Sisu loses appeal May 18: Coventry City FC confirms Butts Park Arena ground share talks with Coventry RFC May 26: Sisu's bid to appeal the defeat at the Court of Appeal is turned down, and the CCFC owners told they must apply directly to the Supreme Court for permission to appeal August 26: Protesters call for Coventry City owners Sisu to sell the club 2017 July 14: Sisu seeks a second judicial review against Coventry City Council, this time over the sale of Ricoh Arena operating company ACL to Wasps back in 2014, saying the sale was not made on a commercial basis. The case is dismissed by judge Justice Rupinder Singh at the High Court in Birmingham September 15: The Court of Appeal allows Sisu to challenge the decision of the High Court November 28: Court of Appeal judge instructs CCFC companies, Wasps and Coventry City to take part in mediation talks to try and solve the situation 2018 March: A mediator is appointed for the peace talks between the parties, with a target for mediation to end by the end of March June 26-27: Sisu-related companies appear at the Court of Appeal to challenge the High Court decision October: Coventry City chairman Tim Fisher says the club hopes to start negotiations to stay at the Ricoh Arena soon - and it was "plan A" - despite Wasps repeatedly saying they will not enter discussions until legal proceedings are closed October 12: The Court of Appeal dismisses Sisu-related companies calls for a judicial review into the sale of the Ricoh October 17: Council leaders urge Sisu not to "play Russian roulette" with the club's future and end the long-running legal action October 19: Sisu are back in the Court of Appeal to challenge the October 12 decision and try to get permission to take the fight to the Supreme Court. The challenge is not allowed November 23: Sky Blues chief executive Dave Boddy says the club’s future in the English Football League is “severely at risk” after the League tells the club it won't be allowed to play outside the city if they fail to reach a deal to stay at the Ricoh Arena November 27: Sisu-related companies apply to Supreme Court for permission to appeal the Court of Appeal's decision to dismiss a judicial review into the sale of the Ricoh 2019 January 15: The debate was taken to the top as the country's MPs debated what could be done to stop the club potentially "collapsing". Ministers again called for those who could stop Coventry City Football Club becoming homeless to "thrash" out their issues at the negotiating table February 22: Sky Blues bosses are given until March 5 to clarify where they will play home games next season or face potential expulsion from the English Football League March 4: CCFC Chairman Tim Fisher says the club are looking at a number of groundshare options if a deal cannot be done at the Ricoh March 5: CoventryLive launches the Save Our Sky Blues campaign calling on fans to share how important the club is to them March 13: Sisu issue a statement which says they are looking at building a new stadium in the city April 2: The site of the former Woodlands Academy is revealed as the site Sisu are interested in for a new CCFC stadium in Coventry April 3: Coventry City issued with a formal threat of expulsion from the English Football League after the EFL called an extraordinary general meeting of all 72 clubs to determine their future April 16: The Supreme Court refuses Sisu-related companies' request for permission to appeal the previous decision of judges not to allow a judicial review into the sale of the Ricoh Arena April 24: Coventry City announces it is in talks with Wasps over a new deal to stay at the Ricoh Arena next season. This means the English Football League's Extraordinary Meeting of Clubs due to take place the next day is postponed

What have Coventry City said?

The full statement from Coventry City is below:

Coventry City Football Club has received a formal letter from the EFL Board with a final request for clarity regarding where the Club will play home matches in the 2019/20 season.

Following receipt of the letter, we felt it was important to make Sky Blues fans and the wider community aware of this letter and the dates outlined in it.

Coventry City has until Tuesday 5th March 2019 to provide a further update to the EFL Board. Should a satisfactory solution not be found over the next two months, an Extraordinary General Meeting of EFL Clubs will be convened to consider Coventry City’s expulsion from the English Football League.

This meeting would be held on Thursday 25th April – this is to provide clarity regarding Coventry City’s future membership in advance of relegation and promotion issues being resolved during the run-in to the end of the season.

These dates show how stark the situation facing the Football Club now is and that time is running out.

Our only option is to continue to play at our home, the Ricoh Arena.

Coventry City Football Club wants to do a deal with Wasps Rugby Club as soon as possible, to resolve this impasse so that the dates above are not encountered.

All parties now need to work together for good of Coventry City Football Club, its supporters, the Ricoh Arena, the City of Coventry and our community – the continued future of the Football Club needs to be everyone’s focus to prevent more heartache and worry.

No one should be in any doubt of the significance of Coventry City to Coventry – not in the past, now or in the future.

The Westminster meeting in early March called by the Minister of State for Culture, Media and Sport, inviting all of the key parties is an opportunity to resolve this issue. However, our offers to meet with both Coventry City Council, as freehold owner and the democratically elected local authority, and Wasps RFC, as landlord, still remain open - in the hope that a deal can be agreed before the Westminster meeting is necessary.

(Image: Richard Lane Photography)

What have Wasps said?

Nick Eastwood, Chief Executive of the Wasps Group, said: “We have been clear and consistent about our message to the owners of Coventry City Football Club.

“When we agreed a one year extension for them to play at the Ricoh Arena we said we would only open negotiations again once they had permanently halted their legal action.

“We hope they take that course of action as the EFL have also made their position clear. It is in the owners’ gift to resolve this for the benefit of all, especially their own supporters.”

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