We continue to receive a large number of questions from fans covering a whole host of different subjects. This week we prioritised the three main areas of current supporter concern - funding, resolution of the boardroom dispute and ticket refunds.
We remain grateful to Marian Mihail for his continuing response to supporter questions but we are disappointed by these answers. On the matters of funding and resolution of the dispute there is little new and it is clear that he was not able to find out anything more definite from Tahnoon Nimer. We think the answers reflect the fact that, although he is a Director, Mihail's influence on matters of funding and ESI is clearly somewhat limited and he cannot always access the information we seek.
Dear Marian,
We are glad the salaries of the staff were paid at the end of April. We understand this was achieved without any input of cash from the current owners. Therefore nothing has really changed. We are still on the brink of a crisis where it’s possible the Club could cease to exist in two months time.
Tahnoon Nimer has said publicly he has the best interest of Charlton at heart.
If the Club’s owners are serious about running a successful and financially-sound club in the long term they need to be absolutely clear about the funding.
They need to forget problems with Matt Southall. Forget problems around how best to provide the money. Forget social media posts. Tell supporters specifically when sufficient money will be paid in to Charlton.
Based on this we ask:
Q1. Exactly when will the owners pay money into Charlton?
MM: I appreciate the uncertainty of when money will be injected into the club is very tough for fans. Unfortunately I can’t provide a date because I don’t know when this will happen. What I can say though is that Tahnoon Nimer has said he will inject funds into the club to keep it going when the club needs it. I am also aware that injecting large additional funds is not viable for Tahnoon Nimer at the moment with uncertainties around the EFL investigation, the ex-directors potential unpicking of the takeover and the presence of Mr Southall.
Q2. What needs to happen for the issues on the ESI Board to be resolved and when will this happen?
MM: The two owners need to come to an agreement or one of the owners needs to step away from the club. I know it is repeating what I said last week but myself, Claudiu [Florica] and all the Charlton fans, players and staff hope that Tahnoon Nimer and Mr Southall can put their differences aside and make a good decision for this club. Unfortunately, nothing has changed since last week with regards to this. Mr Southall hasn’t stepped down and, today (May 7th), the club has received a fresh demand from Mr Southall totalling more than £2m. Again he will not be paid as we either couldn’t find a contract or proof of work/order but frustratingly it highlights the situation we are in.
Q3. Now that the final date of 2019/20 season has passed fans are concerned about being out of pocket regarding ticket purchases. This includes unused season tickets for the four unplayed home games plus pre-purchased tickets for games that have not taken place. Many people are significantly out of pocket. Our concern is increased as the club has recently announced a change to refund arrangements for tickets for postponed games, which is detrimental to supporters and contradicts its own charter.
We appreciate there has still been no plan from the EFL about how the season will be concluded. However, we last played on March 7th. None of the proposals being mentioned by the game's authorities involve the remaining games taking place any time soon. And all those proposals clearly do not include allowing fans to attend.
What plans does the Club have to reimburse fans for unplayed 2019/20 games paid for in advance?
MM: The tickets purchased for games yet to be played in the 2019/20 season can be split into two groups – matchday tickets and season tickets.
For the matchday ticket holders, requests for refunds will be processed when the club’s ticket office re-opens following the end of the current lockdown. Following the re-opening of the ticket office all matchday ticket holders will be sent an email advising them of how to claim a refund should they wish to.
For season ticket holders, we will be in touch with them once a decision is made about the conclusion of the season. We appreciate the fans’ support and patience on this topic during these difficult times.
CAST appreciate the logistical difficulties that the club, like all businesses, is currently experiencing but we think the above response is disappointing. On the matter of match day tickets it does not seem to recognise that the club is holding a considerable amount of supporters' money. We will continue to press the club to be more proactive and we aim to provide an update on the situation and supporters' rights next week.
The Club announced on March 19th that refund requests must be submitted within seven days of fans receiving an email informing them that refunds could be applied for. In conversations with Club staff this week we have been guided that claims for refunds received later than seven days after receipt of an e mail from the ticket office will, after all, still be recognised.
We already have a list of specific questions to put to Marian Mihail next week but please continue to send yours to: