Probably about 2,500 are kids who have had cheap tickets bought by their parents and have no idea what is going on. A great ploy by Rovers to make it seem like total ST sales are not in decline

Nobody needs an 'excuse' to not go to Ewood. It's a free world. However, if an excuse was needed then I can't think of a better one than 'I don't want to send money to Venky's'

And they don't want to send money to Blackburn it seems! Maybe that is why Venky's never go to matches ?

Just been chatting to a friend from Bangalore and he pointed out that Thursday 15th and Monday 19th of August are public holidays in India. He reckons nothing much will get done in courts on the Friday in between. So Tuesday 20th will be a big 'catch up' day. Also, lawyers in Delhi went on strike yesterday with more action threatened - just to add to the backlog. https://www.reuters.com/world/india/lawyers-go-strike-indias-capital-over-criminal-law-overhaul-2024-07-15/

That is a perfectly valid approach and, in a way, I really wish I could enjoy watching Rovers like you do - without any care for off-field activities. However, what happens in India is so important it could mean there will be no football to watch soon. It is impossible to ignore.

It is fairly easy to understand the situation by looking at the court papers. They can't send any money without going to court. A bond was applied to the previous payments that were allowed - probably because the ED was totally opposed to them sending any money at all. @Upside Down and @lraC have explained this countless times and even posted links to the relevant documents

I strongly suspect that Waggott has a retirement date in mind and it won't be too far in the future. As long as he keeps the lights on until that date he will be happy as Larry. I think Cheston got out when he did as he could envisage what may be on the horizon.

My worry is that the court hearing in August will just kick the can down the road. I really hope not but it is a worry. I have studied the court papers and I am 100% convinced that they are currently under an embargo and can't send any funds without the express permission of the court for every payment. They have previously been allowed to send 2 payments over the last 12 months and both of those were covered by a bond. The next court case is to decide if they can send a third payment - I guess the judge in this case will decide whether a payment can be made and if a bond is required. It is effectively a new case but, in Waggott's words, a precedent has been set by the previous 2 hearings - so he is confident they will be allowed to send money. I believe it will depend on the ED's position and whether they have uncovered any more evidence since the last hearing. The ED opposed the last 2 payments which is probably why the bond was required. Venky's have recently sold Alexander house and this may be seen as them playing ball and cooperating with the ED - if they have returned the money to India. This may work in their favour and they may be allowed to send more money over - but probably only enough money to maintain the club with respect to wages, HMRC etc - hence kicking the can down the road. The hearing in August is simply to decide if Venky's can make a payment. The longer running investigations by the ED could take years. Obviously, just my take on things after researching and asking Steve Waggott a few questions.

The court papers for the postponed hearing are fairly short and only mention a request by Venky's for permission to send funds. There is nothing else under consideration in this particular hearing.

Correct

They have been very clever with their words. I wouldn't say they have lied

Waggott is being purposefully misleading. Jackson has swallowed it.

My understanding is quite the opposite. The August date is simply a request by Venky's to be able to send funds out of India while under embargo. The Embargo is in place largely because of the Alexander house purchase but that issue is ongoing along with other issues being investigated

They can fund via money generated in the UK. They can't send any funds from India until after the court hearing. Last time, they had to cover it with a bond - it may be the same in August, it may not. They have recently sold the Neville Mansion which will have generated a few million pounds. They may have sent this money back to India to improve their position over there in terms of the unpaid tax, get some seized assets back and show willing to cooperate. If the money is still in the UK can they use it to fund Rovers? Who knows. It's not a simple situation.

They are fully aware. Any quotes in the WATR MoU minutes are from Waggott.

The simple fact is that he could have looked at the court documents himself and discovered the actual true situation - as many of us have done

Open minded because he is waiting for Waggott to tell him what's happening. I really don't think Eustace has much say in the matter. Eustace seems very non-committal on most subjects and he has already stated that the target for the season is simply to improve on last season - reflecting Waggott's lack of ambition at the start of last season.

So if you regularly attend the under 21s it is effectively a price increase over the whole season despite a lower ST price.

I thought so. Well it won't be free next season - another Waggott tax slipped quietly in.

Just been reading the FAQs about 24/25 season tickets on the Rovers web site. One of the FAQs states that a ST entitles you to attend all regular men's first team matches at Ewood, but not under 21s matches. I seem to remember that reserve/under 21 matches were always included in the past. Has that just changed for next season - anyone know?

They avoided tax by declaring it as a business expense rather than for personal use.

Perfect summary. The court hearing in August is a request to send money. The ED will be allowed to oppose the request in August if they wish. The ED case against Venky's is a separate issue and will be ongoing well after August.

If the club have said they can send funds from India I'm sure you can point to the evidence.

But it is only B if they get permission - that is why there is another court hearing. They were given permission to send funds in November based on the first court hearing and a full breakdown from Rovers as to what the money was to used for. They have to go through that process every time they want to send money.

They have never said funds can currently be sent from India.