Game is AXED amid claim and counter-claim at crisis-torn Bolton Wanderers as Laurence Bassini insists: I’m in control!

Laurence Bassini claims to have taken control of Bolton despite the club’s insistence his potential takeover is off.
Crisis club Bolton WanderersCrisis club Bolton Wanderers
Crisis club Bolton Wanderers

And this afternoon the EFL announced that Tuesday’s rescheduled fixture against Brentford had now been cancelled.

It is the latest in a long saga of woes for the Trotters after the Championship side issued a statement on Thursday evening saying there would be no further discussions with the former Watford chairman.

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On Tuesday Bassini had committed to providing proof of funds for his potential purchase to the EFL within 48 hours, but Bolton say that deadline – itself an extension on a previously agreed date – passed without the required information being shown.

Bassini, however, views the matter differently.

In a statement issued to Sky Sports News, he said: “I have taken control of the club this morning and instructed staff not to make any further statements. I have proof of funds and a watertight contract.”

He added: “I will be attending the Nottingham Forest game on Sunday and I will put things right at Bolton Wanderers. Ken Anderson (chairman) cannot sell the club to anyone else, he is on notice and would be in breach of contract should he try to, I am the only person who can buy Bolton Wanderers.”

An EFL spokesman said: “The EFL is aware of further comments being made this morning regarding the ownership of Bolton Wanderers and remains in contact with representatives from both the Club and Mr Bassini.

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“The EFL’s role is to ensure any individual looking to acquire control meets the requirements of the League’s Regulations, which includes providing information to demonstrate the source and sufficiency of funding.

“We remain available to the parties to assist where we can.”

And in the latest twist this lunchtime, the EFL announced the the planned rearranged fixture at home to Brentford on Tuesday – originally called off when Bolton’s upaid players refused to play – has now been SCRAPPED.

Instead Brentford have been awarded the three points, meaning they leapfrog Sunday’s opponents Preston North End, who have dropped to 13th place in the Championship table.

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IN a statement, the EFL said: “Following the decision taken by Bolton Wanderers’ Safety Advisory Group (SAG) to issue a Prohibition Notice preventing Tuesday’s rearranged Sky Bet Championship fixture with Brentford from taking place, the EFL will not be asking that the game is played at a future date.

“There is no provision under EFL Regulations to direct clubs to play at a later date than four days past the conclusion of the season and, as a result, it has been determined that Brentford will be awarded the three points on the basis of a 1-0 victory.

“As a consequence, Bolton Wanderers is now deemed to be guilty of misconduct by the EFL which will result in disciplinary proceedings against the Club being taken at an appropriate time.

“The decision to award the victory to Brentford is taken under Regulation 33.2 and is independent of the proceedings referred to above.”