Morecambe FC Ownership Dispute Escalates as Mediation Session is Canceled
Panjab Warriors, prospective buyers of Morecambe FC, have alleged that owner Jason Whittingham canceled a scheduled mediation session regarding the protracted purchase of the club.
In a statement released on Friday, Panjab Warriors indicated that they had agreed to meet with a "mutually known" independent mediator at the request of Whittingham and co-owner Colin Goldring.
The meeting was arranged to take place in London on Thursday; however, it was canceled by the duo on Wednesday evening, as stated by the Warriors.
According to Panjab Warriors, the mediator, who had been appointed by Whittingham and Goldring, subsequently informed them that they would no longer facilitate the discussions.
"This ongoing pattern of avoidance must end. We urge Jason and Colin to stop prolonging the suffering of everyone impacted by the current crisis at Morecambe FC," the statement remarked.
"The time has come to finalize the sale that has already been agreed upon so that the club, its staff, supporters, and community can finally move forward."
BBC Radio Lancashire has reached out to Whittingham for comments regarding this situation.
Panjab Warriors have been pursuing the acquisition of the club for over a year and claim to have invested significant funding to support the Shrimps throughout last season.
Last week, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy penned an open letter to Whittingham urging him to sell the club amid a tumultuous summer, during which a separate bid for the club was made but has yet to materialize.
This letter followed the club's suspension by the National League for failing to adhere to its regulations, with Panjab Warriors also stating in a joint announcement that the club would face closure this week without a takeover.
Morecambe, who were relegated from the English Football League last season, were scheduled to face Boston United on Saturday to commence their 2025-26 National League campaign.