UK Edition
Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson pushes EFL to investigate rivals over financial conduct
Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson is demanding an English Football League investigation into the financial conduct of three Championship rivals.
Gibson wants the EFL to scrutinise Derby County, Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday over what he believes to be breaches of financial regulations, in a move which could trigger a bitter dispute between the clubs.
The 61-year-old is insisting the three clubs are attempting to bypass the new profitability and sustainability rules by unfair means, and he has arranged a special meeting of all Championship clubs for a week on Wednesday.
Gibson is understood to be “furious” that Middlesbrough have sold over £40 million worth of players, including Adama Traore, Ben Gibson and Patrick Bamford, to balance the books, while in his view other clubs are manipulating the rules by allocating some costs to stay in line.
Derby, for example, recently sold their Pride Park stadium to owner Mel Morris and then leased it back to ensure the club recorded a profit in their 2017/18 accounts.
Sources at Derby insist they have been fully compliant with the new profitability and sustainability rules and do not fear a similar fate to Birmingham, who were docked nine points by the EFL last month.
But Derby are said to be operating under a “soft transfer embargo”, which is preventing them from registering Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie.
The midfielder held talks with Derby last week but cannot sign a pre-contract at this stage, as the club’s accounts are being looked at by the EFL.
It is understood the embargo should be lifted later this week, however, enabling Derby manager Frank Lampard to make Shinnie his first signing ahead of next season.
Villa, who are five points ahead of Middlesbrough in the table, have declined to comment. Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri admitted in January they could be placed under a transfer embargo.
Gibson will address the issue at the meeting with representatives from the other 23 clubs, and has also contacted the EFL to register his concerns.
At the last meeting, held at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground, it is alleged that Gibson even turned on the three clubs to vent his frustration.
In his programme notes before last month’s game against Norwich, Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis wrote: “Steve has worked hard to abide by the EFL’s financial rules, but it’s clear that a number of clubs aren’t, and that simply cannot be right.
“Birmingham’s nine-point deduction should set a precedent now for those other clubs who are not complying with the rules.
“Over the past year here, we have brought money in through the sales of players and reduced the wages, and we have cut our cloth accordingly.
“Yet at the same time, there are others in apparent breach of the rules, and that cannot be right.”
Middlesbrough are seventh in the Championship. Villa appear on course for a place in the top six after eight straight wins while Derby and Wednesday remain in play-off contention.