Middlesbrough say Derby administrators have ‘refused to engage’ over legal claim

Middlesbrough say Derby’s administrators have “consistently refused to engage” with them over a legal claim.

The Teesside club, along with Wycombe, are seeking compensation from the crisis-hit Rams, who were placed in administration last September.

The financial situation at Derby is becoming increasingly perilous, with the English Football League (EFL) granting administrators an extension to March 1 to provide proof of funding for the rest of the season.

On Thursday the EFL urged all parties involved, including Boro and Wycombe, to engage in urgent mediation to resolve the impasse.

MFC has issued a response to the EFL's most recent statement on Derby Countyhttps://t.co/2hKHwVmtxF

— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) February 4, 2022

Boro welcomed that invitation, and the EFL saying on Wednesday that it disagreed with the administrators’ analysis that, under insolvency legislation, the club could avoid defending Middlesbrough and Wycombe’s claims and that they should not be treated as football-related debts.

Middlesbrough accused the administrators of making “scurrilous and unfounded suggestions” that their claim, and Wycombe’s, was preventing the club being sold when they believe the administrators have also failed to reach agreement with major creditors HMRC and MSD Partners.

“MFC has always maintained that its claim against Derby County is a football-related debt and that it should be treated as such,” the club statement read.

“MFC welcomes the EFL’s confirmation that it shares this view. If the administrators believe that the EFL are not entitled to take this stance, MFC has offered to refer the matter to a judge to decide.

“The administrators were appointed in September but have consistently refused to engage with MFC’s