Derby County football club (DCFC) are currently in administration with Quantuma being the administrators. It is a complicated situation. The English Football League (EFL) being the governing body have deducted 21 points from the club for going into administration and for previous financial irregularities. The club and supporters have accepted this punishment whilst being harsh is seen as reasonable in the circumstances and mainly the fault of the previous owner.

The administrators have stated they have three bids to take over the club and wish to announce a preferred bidder. Yesterday the administrators made a statements which included the following:-

"The difficulty and currently, in our view, the last remaining significant obstacle is to deal with certain claims that are very much disputed but which we are being advised by the EFL cannot be currently compromised notwithstanding statute says otherwise. Whilst we accept this is frustrating for all, none of the interested parties are able to progress matters further until such time that an agreement can be reached.”

These certain claims are believed to be claims by Middlesbrough and Wycombe football clubs who believe they are victims of DCFC miss management. These claims could only be settle in Court because DCFC being in administration do not have the funds to settle any financial claims. It is the view of all commentators that the above claims would not be upheld in Court. The EFL have therefore put the administrators in an impossible situation and preventing the club being sold.

There is a very real risk that DCFC will face liquidation if the administrators are prevented from selling the club. This would have devastating impacts on the staff, players, supporters and the City.

I am asking for someone to intervene on behalf of DCFC and their supporters. These important questions need to be asked of the EFL.

Why have the EFL put DCFC and the administrators in this no win situation preventing the sale of the club?

There is a seeming conflict of interest because the EFL board includes a member of Middlesbrough FC and the EFL are seemingly advocating on Middlesbrough’s behalf for DCFC to settle this matter. Can you ask the EFL to clarify why both parties are not being treated equally and why this matter should not be settled via Court proceedings rather than by treating this as a “significant obstacle” to prevent the sale of the club?

We need answers.