Following the decision to disqualify Leeds United Football Club owner Massimo Cellino on December 1, 2014 and yesterday’s developments concerning former acting chairman Peter Pannu, Blues Trust has written to the Football League highlighting potential breaches in its Rules and Regulations.

On March 3, 2014, Carson Yeung was convicted on six counts of money laundering by a Hong Kong court. As Carson was convicted of a ‘Dishonest Act’, he is automatically subject to a ‘Disqualifying Condition’, prohibiting him from being a ‘Relevant Person’ for example by owning 30% or more or being a Director of a Football Club under Appendix 3 of the Football League Rules and Regulations.

Although Carson resigned from his Directorships of Birmingham International Holdings (BIH) and Birmingham City Football Club (BCFC) in February 2014 prior to his conviction the following month, we believe that there are conceivably valid grounds to suggest that Carson is now acting as a ‘Shadow Director’ as defined under Section 251 of the Companies Act 2006. Thus, this would deem Carson a ‘Relevant Person’, in contravention of Appendix 3.

As the largest shareholder with a shareholding of about 28% in both BIH and BCFC, we also consider Carson to be involved in, or have the power to determine or influence the management or administration of BCFC as outlined under Section 2 of Appendix 3 of the Football League Rules and Regulations. This would also make him a Relevant Person, again in contravention of Appendix 3.

Additionally, we believe yesterday’s developments concerning former acting chairman Peter Pannu and his comments made to Often Partisan website owner Daniel Ivery confirm that Carson is a ‘Relevant Person’ within the Club.

Through his role in the protracted sales negotiations with Jeremy Wray and his consortium as outlined by Peter Pannu himself, we believe that Carson was able to “exercise Control over the affairs of the Club”; a direct breach of Appendix 3 having already been subject to a ‘Disqualifying Condition’.

Having evaluated evidence in accordance with Appendix 3 of Football League Rules and Regulations, we urge the Football League to review the current situation at BCFC, providing both guidance and assurance that Mr. Yeung and/or any other associated party/parties or individuals are not in breach of several areas of their Rules.

We ask that, if in breach of any of the Rules and Regulations of the Football League, individuals are held accountable and that the correct penalties for such breaches are duly enforced.

Finally, we also call upon local MP’s to continue to put pressure on the Football League to take action based on our recent submission.

A copy of the letter sent by Blues Trust to the Football League is obtainable here.

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