Nottingham Forest fans have been reacting to the latest developments as arch rivals Derby County face the threat of liquidation.
The Rams have been in administration for four months as the search for new ownership rumbles on.
The EFL insists it is committed to resolving “a complex legal position” that is threatening Derby’s bid to find a buyer and exit administration.
The Rams have been docked a total of 21 points this season - for entering administration in September, and for breaching EFL financial rules.
The administrators are understood to be in talks with three potential buyers but have been unable to name a preferred bidder due to the threat of legal action against Derby by two other clubs.
Middlesbrough and Wycombe are seeking compensation for loss of earnings in relation to Derby’s financial breaches and potential new owners are reluctant to commit themselves to further liabilities.
Rams fans are now calling on the Government to intervene, with more than 50,000 people signing a petition on the matter.
Derby and Forest go head-to-head at the City Ground this weekend. We asked Reds fans what they really wanted to happen to their old foes down the A52.
Here is what some of them had to say on our Facebook page...
Paula Regan: "No I wouldn't (want to see Derby liquidated). I don't like the thought of any team going out of business as it's the fans in the end that suffers. Where's all the money go with these clubs. Bad running of the club's and money grabbing owners is the problem. This could have been Forest but we were lucky. Let's hope Derby can be saved. Relegated yes, out of business no."
Gareth Davis: "Relegation yes absolutely but I wouldn’t want to see them fold. This could easily have been us under Fawaz not so long ago. Their fans need to stop thinking there is some conspiracy against them by the EFL though. The Boro claim is spurious, the Wycombe one not so. If the EFL get reassurances they have the money to see the season out, they’ll lift the embargo. When we had money problems when Doughty put us up for sale, we sacrificed players, Derby should do the same."
Mark Roberts: "Relegation, yes. To face up to the rules they knew were in place and to take on the consequences of (breaching EFL financial rules) for such a prolonged period of time. The clubs hierarchy knew what they were doing, and took those risks anyway. That’s fair game. But of out of business? Hell, no. Nobody deserves that. And I wouldn’t want to see our main local rival disappear from football entirely. That doesn’t benefit anybody."
Peter Newman: "Relegation yes - they need to realise what as happened. But going out of business no. Whilst they are our greatest enemies (not threat) the community, fans and Midlands football should not suffer. This issue needs to be dealt with on a wider basis - the clubs need to understand more what they are doing - as Brian Clough said - it is the business men that will kill football - it must be stopped."
James Curtis: "Personally I think every team needs their rivals, it’s the first fixtures we look for, for those games to be gone would be a huge disappointment. So whilst I hate Derby, I would hate losing the chance to play them each year even more."
Julie Severn: "Relegation absolutely. Out of business - no."
Yiannis Papathanasiou: "No way to go out of business. I want them just be relegated and survive."
Rob White: "Do what they did to Rangers, start back at the bottom."
James Brown: "No true fan wants to see any team go out of business, they’re suffering the punishments and maybe more to come, but after all they are our neighbours and everyone looks forward to the fixture and all that comes with it win or lose. Let’s hope they survive to fight another day."
Brynjar Isaksen: "Without the rivalry, where's the fun ? Also, we were pretty close to an implosion ourselves just a few years back. COYR."
Paul Reidy: "They should get what they deserve... but as a Forest fan I wouldn't like to see any club fold."
Gavin Burgess: "Can’t see them liquidating. Certainly hope not. Relegation and a slap will sort them out long term. Could have easily happened to us under Fawaz."
Paul Ecob: "The Derby game is the one game I really look forward to every year so personally I’d be gutted to think we might never play that game again."
Christine Metcalf: "Relegation and survive, the rivalry is part of the season but more than that is all the staff and subsidiary businesses that would be affected."
