NOTTS COUNTY’S takeover by an offshore trust has finally been approved by the English FA after a paper trail provided by Qadbak showed no sign of anyone who should be prevented from owning the club.
The league announced yesterday that evidence of a “complicated” structure featuring “both offshore entities and discretionary trusts” had been provided.
“Following greater co-operation from the club, the league is now in a position to confirm that it is in possession of the appropriate details for those individuals that exercise control over the club.”
It has taken three months for the league to be satisfied that the takeover by Qadbak, a British Virgin Islands-registered nominee company, should be approved under its fit and proper person protocols. But the identities disclosed to the league may not be released to fans.
“It is a matter for the club to determine what ownership information it makes public,” said the league.
The Football League’s fit and proper person process requires self-certification, with clubs asked to make disclosures on an individual basis. Although there is no independent verification of what details are provided by club owners, deliberate misinformation would constitute misconduct and is punishable with potential expulsion from the league.
