Wasps CEO Nick Eastwood has said that they remain happy to talk to Coventry City about a groundshare deal.
In reply to questions from the Coventry Observer, Wasps issued the following statement:
“It has been extremely well-documented how this stage has been reached and we have been consistent and clear about what needs to happen for us to open talks with Coventry City.
“We are happy to talk to the club about extending their ground-sharing arrangements at the Ricoh Arena – an outcome which is favoured by all parties – but on the condition that the club’s owners permanently and unconditionally cease their legal action in relation to the purchase of the Ricoh Arena. We are not asking for the “permanent waiver of the other sides’ legal rights” as that would be unreasonable and, we understand, unenforceable; the condition is in relation to the purchase of the Ricoh Arena and the current, long-running, legal action.
“We don’t believe we are able to enter negotiations with an organisation engaging in legal action of this nature. We are sure that people – whether fans of rugby, football, both or neither – understand that.
“Last year we gave the club and its owners the time to consider their options and find a solution – one alternative was to drop their legal action and negotiate an agreement at the Ricoh, something they have chosen not to do. We hope they will agree to cease their current legal action, for the good of the club, its supporters and the city of Coventry.
“We agreed at the Westminster meeting that the discussions at the meeting were strictly private and confidential so we cannot comment on the outcomes of the session.”