The owners of Coventry City’s Ricoh Arena are suing Northampton Town for damages in the High Court.
The Cobblers received a letter from Arena Coventry Limited (ACL) earlier this month, threatening legal action over the Sky Blues’ plans to play in Northampton for at least the next three seasons.
And ACL confirmed to the Chron today that it has now served High Court papers on the Cobblers, which the club has 14 days to respond to.
Cobblers chairman David Cardoza said the club’s position was the same as earlier in the month, when he said the action was “without any legal merit.”
ACL says it has a 25-year lease with Coventry City for them to play at the Ricoh, and the Cobblers are “inducing” the Sky Blues to play their home games at Sixfields.
The Cobblers say they have not entered an agreement with Coventry City Football Club Ltd, but have instead negotiated a deal with potential buyers of the Sky Blues.
ACL’s lawyer, James Powell, said: “We are taking this very seriously. It is with some regret that we have had to take this action, but as we didn’t get a clear and substantive response to the first letter, then we have to do something about it.
“If Northampton recognise their position, then I am sure it can be resolved.
“There is a contract in place which says Coventry City are contractually bound to play at the Ricoh Arena.
“Northampton Town have come along and entered into an agreement with a third party, which is effectively inducing Coventry City away from the Ricoh Arena to play in Northampton.
“We think there is a liability for a substantial sum of money from these actions.”
Mr Powell said the Cobblers have 14 days to respond to the summons, and 14 further days to file their case.
Speaking to the Chron this afternoon, Cobblers chairman David Cardoza said: “Our position has not changed, and it is being dealt with by our solicitors.”
The previous statement released to the Chron from the club said: “Northampton Town Football Club confirms that Arena Coventry Limited (ACL) has threatened the club with legal action in respect of Coventry City FC playing at Sixfields Stadium.
“The club was approached by Coventry City to play at Sixfields, so that Coventry City could fulfil its fixtures. The Football League has endorsed this arrangement.
“The threatened action by ACL is without any legal merit and is not conducive to the greater good of the game. Northampton Town Football Club will not be bullied or threatened.”
The Coventry Telegraph has reported how ACL has also offered to dramatically lower its rent demands to keep the Sky Blues at the Ricoh.
ACL has tabled a new ten-year rent offer as a condition for signing a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) to bring the club out of administration.
The Telegraph reports that the new rental offer is £150,000-a-year while the club remains in League One - down from £1.3million-a-year.