Sunderland takeover: These are the questions that need answering as fan group Red and White Army call for clarity

Sunderland fan organisation Red and White Army has again called for answers over the ownership situation – stating supporters are angry and concerned about the future of the club.
Sunderland's Stadium of Light.Sunderland's Stadium of Light.
Sunderland's Stadium of Light.

Key figures at the club, including chief executive Jim Rodwell, were set to meet with various fan groups last month in their latest structured dialogue meeting but the meeting was postponed due to the 'advancement and sensitivity' of takeover talks.

Three weeks on and RAWA are still waiting for questions to a number of answers they instead published on their website over the takeover and ownership situation, the structure of the club and the financial situation.

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The Echo understands RAWA has written to the club asking for a new date for the meeting and for an update on the takeover and the filling of key roles.

It was subsequently revealed after the November meeting was postponed that Juan Sartori and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus were in advanced talks over a deal to purchase a majority share in the club and it is understood a deal is close but fans are still waiting for clarity.

The terms of the proposed deal would see Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven retaining a small shareholding.

Sunderland are also set to appoint Kristjaan Speakman to the role of technical director, however, there remain a number of key roles unfilled including chairman, head coach, academy manager and head of recruitment among others.

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A RAWA statement read: "Many fans are angry at the direction of the club and continue to express real concern about matters on and off the pitch.

"We eagerly await an update on the proposed changes to ownership and what the plans are, including the filling of a number of key roles throughout the club, to get SAFC back on the right path and to achieve the standards Sunderland supporters quite rightfully expect.”

You can read the full breakdown of questions here that they had hoped to put to the club’s hierarchy at that meeting.

Key RAWA questions over the takeover situation included:

- Where are we at with regards to takeover and what are the timelines looking like for takeover?

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- If a takeover goes through, who will be responsible for day-to-day running of the club?

- Can we rule out an approach by William Storey and put that on the record?

- If no takeover is concluded, is Stewart Donald still looking to leave and will his asking price reflect this?

· In July, RAWA were asked by the club for some breathing space while a takeover was to be concluded, what can the club put on record to reassure concerned supporters about the direction of the club at present?

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- And if - like previous takeover attempts - this one does not materialise, what plans are in place for the future of the club?

RAWA have also published a number of questions over finances and the FPP loan, the full impact of the Covid-19 crisis and questions around the structure of the club, recruitment and transfer policy.

Sunderland have not publicly commented on the takeover situation, despite repeated requests from the Echo, though Rodwell did confirm last month that the club remain in a period of exclusivity with a preferred buyer and it was at a sensitive stage.

In a statement last month, SAFC CEO Rodwell explained: "After discussions with the relevant fan groups, we have taken the decision to postpone tomorrow’s supporter collective meeting.

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“The club remains in a period of exclusivity with a preferred buyer and due to the advancement and sensitivity of this process, it would be inappropriate to comment publicly at this time.

“I would like to thank our supporters’ groups, and the wider fan base, for their continued patience and understanding throughout this period.”