EFL reveal new Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard passed OADT a week ago

The EFL have revealed that they approved Thomas Sandgaard’s under their Owners’ and Directors’ Test (OADT) last Friday – a full week before he announced himself as Charlton Athletic’s new owner.

Addicks supporters had complained about the delay from the governing body in processing Sandgaard’s application.

But the EFL released a statement today claiming that they had given the green light to the US-based Dane before some of the club’s fanbase targeted sponsors of the EFL last weekend.

“The matter of the sale of Charlton Athletic (or any club) is a matter for the interested parties, with the EFL’s role in this process to solely consider the applications made to it under EFL Regulations.

“On Friday 18 September 2020 the EFL issued confirmation that it did not regard Mr Sandgaard as subject to a disqualifying dondition in accordance with appendix 3 of EFL Regulations (Owners’ and Directors’ Test), and that it had received the appropriate evidence as to the source and sufficiency of funding as required by regulation 16.19.

“The league is not party to the ongoing court proceedings taking place and therefore it remains a matter for the respective parties to resolve and as a result we are not in a position to comment.

“In addition, On Tuesday 15 September 2020 representatives of the EFL held a meeting with members of the Charlton Athletic Supporters’ Trust (CAST) and Football Supporters Association (FSA).  The meeting was cordial and constructive and gave CAST representatives the opportunity to share a range of views in regard to developments at the club over the past nine months.

“It was agreed to keep the lines of communication open and arrange a further meeting as we collectively seek to achieve a positive outcome and future for Charlton Athletic Football Club.”

Manchester businessman Paul Elliott – who was himself announced as the new owner in June – had succeeded in his appeal to be granted an injunction to block the sale of Charlton  until a court case to determine his claim on the club was held on November 23.

Elliott had appealed the EFL’s for failing him under the OADT.

Sandgaard’s employed legal firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer to process his takeover bid – and claims he was able to do a deal for the football club as the injunction only related to buying East Street Investments.