by Our Sports Desk

Coventry’s hopes of returning to the Ricoh Arena have been dashed after owners Sisu lost a court battle with Coventry City Council yesterday.

The findings of a judicial review took place yesterday morning and it saw the council successfully defend itself against claims its £14.4 million loan to Arena Coventry Limited (ACL), the owners of the Sky Blues’ former home the Ricoh Arena, was an “unlawful subsidy.”

A statement released on the club’s website after the hearing described the ruling as “unfortunate” and explained how they believe building a new stadium is now the “only viable commercial option” with any prospect of a move back to their home of eight years seemingly in tatters.

“Coventry City Football Club and its owners’ primary objective remains building a long-term future,” it read. 

“The judgement by Hickinbottom J, that the council’s (CCC) decision to provide a £14.4m loan to private stadium management company Arena Coventry Limited (ACL) was not an unlawful subsidy, is unfortunate.

“The football club and its owners believe that the loan, which exceeded the value of the stadium by almost 200 per cent, was neither lawful nor in the interests of the supporters, taxpayers, stadium operators or the club.

“With this level of debt there is no realistic prospect of any sports franchise or ACL being able to generate sufficient revenue to be commercially viable.

“We will apply for leave to appeal this decision. Now, more than ever, the new stadium is the only viable commercial option.”