Middlesbrough settle legal claim against Derby after talks with Mel Morris

Derby have announced an accord has been reached between their former owner Mel Morris and the Middlesbrough chairman, Steve Gibson, in relation to the Teesside club’s legal claim against the Rams.

Derby were placed into administration last September and the sale of the club has been complicated in part by the claims of Middlesbrough and Wycombe.

The club said details of the accord between Morris and Gibson had been shared with the joint administrator Quantuma before the sides’ Championship meeting at the Riverside on Saturday.

Derby said a resolution had been reached after “private conversations” between Gibson and Morris, who had invited Middlesbrough and Wycombe to take their claims against him personally, in an attempt to remove a major obstacle in the financially stricken club’s attempt to secure a new owner.

A Derby statement said: “The claim has clearly been the source of much concern to both sets of fans, and especially those of Derby County. The fact that a resolution has been discussed and agreed should be comforting to both sets of supporters.

“Details of the accord shall remain private. However, it is important for all interested parties, including potential bidders, to be confident that the Middlesbrough claim will not be an impediment to Derby County progressing its plans for a sale of the club.”

Carl Jackson, partner on behalf of Quantuma, said: “We are pleased to see that an acceptable resolution has been identified which allows us to push forward with our plans for the sale of the club.”

Middlesbrough and Wycombe have been seeking compensation worth millions after Derby breached financial rules. Boro missed out on the play-offs in 2018-19 and Wycombe were relegated to League One last season after