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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Kieran King

Mike Ashley performs Coventry City U-turn after issuing stadium eviction notice

Coventry City have confirmed they have signed an agreement to continue playing home matches at Coventry Building Society Arena until the 2022/23 season.

Earlier this month, Frasers Group, owned by former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, handed an eviction to the Sky Blues which would prevent them from playing at the stadium again this campaign. However, Ashley has since changed his mind and decided to allow Coventry to play matches in their home city.

A statement on the club's official website on Monday said : "Coventry City Football Club is pleased to confirm that it has signed a new licence agreement with Frasers Group in order for the club to continue to play home games at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

"This represents a positive step forward for the club and its fans and we now look forward to establishing a constructive working relationship with Frasers Group.

"The licence that we have today signed will run until May 2023 and is subject to EFL approval, which we expect to be granted on Tuesday.

"Coventry City will now commence amicable talks with Frasers Group with a view to agreeing a longer-term licence for the club to play at the Arena."

Frasers Group took over ownership of the stadium in November, with previous owners Wasps Holdings going into administration one month earlier. However, before Ashley's camp took control, Coventry had an agreement, signed in March 2021, to play at the ground running to 2031.

But the Midlands club received an eviction notice and was told they must agree a new licence, having previously believed the existing terms would continue unchanged following the Frasers Group takeover. They have now agreed terms and will still face Swansea City in their first home game back after the World Cup break on Saturday.

Former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley (PA)

This latest development comes amid a takeover from businessman Doug King, who had also made an effort to buy the ground.

"We came in very late, we only got the deal done last night (Wednesday) and obviously the judge made the call that there was too much uncertainty at this point for him to entertain we were serious," King told BBC CWR in November.

"We were deadly serious, we had the interim funding, we would have certainly paid more than was on the table.

"So, all in all, it's a tough result, but it is what it is. I want to support the club and get it where it deserves to be. What I would obviously welcome is a discussion with the new owner (of the Arena), to get together and maybe get involved that way and obviously for him to honour our ability to play there through the length of lease we signed a couple of years ago. They're the critical things."

Mark Robins' side got off to a tough start in their first game back as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at Reading at the weekend. They do still sit 15th, however, having played two games fewer than the majority of the other sides in the Championship.

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