Sunderland AFC takeover: The EFL stance on the Juan Sartori and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus bid

The Echo understands current director Juan Sartori and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus are bidding to take a majority shareholding in the club.

National reports in the Guardian last week claimed that the acquisition could be completed within a fortnight, with the deal set to see Stewart Donald dilute his shareholding to 15 per cent.

And were that indeed the timescale being worked to, it is highly likely that Louis-Dreyfus would already have had to begin the EFL’s Owners and Directors Test.

But the EFL are remaining coy on whether the process has begun and if wheels have been set in motion, having taken a firm ‘no comment’ stance on the reports.

The Echo submitted the following questions to the EFL:

1. Have the EFL been notified by Sunderland AFC that they intend to appoint a new director and/or that there will be a new majority shareholder of the football club?

2. Has the process of the Owners and Directors Test begun in regards to appointing a new director/majority shareholder at Sunderland AFC?

An EFL spokesperson replied: “Unfortunately anything in relation to a change of control we can’t comment on.

“It would be one for the club, if they wish to update/comment on it.”

This is not specific to Sunderland, with the EFL – and indeed, the Premier League when it comes to top flight clubs – tending not to comment on matters relating to ownership or a change in control.

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