Welcome judgment keeps Bluebirds flying

Mar 20 2008 by Staff Reporter, Western Mail

VERYONE in Wales – whether they support Cardiff City or not – should breathe a sigh of relief that the High Court has found no reason to force the club to pay up £24m of its outstanding debt immediately.

Had Mr Justice Briggs not reached the common sense conclusion that such a demand was unfair and in no one’s real interest, then the FA Cup semi-finalists would have faced possible administration.

Now the club can concentrate on its historic Wembley tie against Barnsley next month without that grim fate in the background.

In what is already a great week for Welsh sport, that’s more good news.

The consequences of such a major part of the Welsh sporting scene going into administration don’t bear thinking about.

As a small nation we need the big rugby and football clubs we have – as well as Glamorgan cricket – to do as well as possible and keep a high profile on the UK, European and international stage.

Any diminution of that profile is bad for Welsh sport overall and will hit both the progress of the international sides and the development of grass roots sport – in which professional clubs play a crucial part.

That’s why any Welsh sports fan should want to see Wrexham fight off the threat of relegation from the football league, and to see the Welsh rugby regions do well in the Heineken Cup. And that’s why the Cardiff City judgment yesterday is so important.

Of course things are a little different when Welsh sides play each other – no fan is going to tone down his or her views just because that day’s opponents are Welsh too. But issues like this go beyond one weekend’s fixture list, and to the future of Welsh sport.

As for Cardiff City, it is greatly to be hoped that everyone involved can get around the table and resolve matters as soon as possible.

It’s fair to say there are significant issues that need to be sorted out, and some painful decisions to be made. But whether the High Court ever needed to be involved is still open to question.

Cardiff City always accepted they owe money to Langston, the Swiss investment bank, but say it isn’t due to be repaid until 2016.

Now there is a two-month gap while Langston can renew its application to appeal the High Court decision – time enough, we hope, for a solution to be reached.

While the players can concentrate on what’s happening on the pitch, the executives, accountants and lawyers should be working hard to put the issue to bed before that June 10 deadline.

Welsh sport is on the up at the moment, and to stay on a high it needs its big clubs to thrive.

That’s why yesterday’s judgment was so crucial and so very welcome.