Coventry City sanctioned over postponed matches

The Sky Blues have been handed a suspended five-point deduction.

Author: Kellie MaddoxPublished 22nd Dec 2022

Coventry City have been given a suspended five-point deduction after their first three home games of the Championship season were postponed.

The pitch at the CBS Arena was deemed unsafe and unplayable ahead of matches with Rotherham, Wigan and Huddersfield.

It's after the pitch was used for rugby sevens matches during the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The Sky Blues accepted they had breached English Football League ground maintenance regulations.

The club will now pay compensation to the away Clubs, along with £6,000 for the EFL’s investigation.

Dave Boddy, Coventry City Chief Executive, said: “Our supporters will know that we were left with a pitch at the Arena that was unsafe, dangerous and unplayable for our first games of the season, following the broken promises of a new pitch by Wasps, and the extensive usage at the Commonwealth Games Rugby 7s.

“The debacle they caused - and the cashflow problems, reputational damage and inconvenience they created for the Football Club, as well as impacting upon our sporting performance and our supporters - should have been an indication to us all of the financial plight they were facing.

“Despite the nature of our tenancy at the Arena, and the lack of any control of pitch maintenance at the Arena, it remains our responsibility as an EFL club to adhere to the regulations of the competition.

“We have accepted the decision of the EFL and the sanctions imposed on us, to minimise the sanctions that would imposed upon us, with the point deduction being suspended.

“We hope that this draws a line under this and that this is a situation that should never be repeated at the Arena.”

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