The Charlton Athletic Supporters Trust published the answers to their weekly Question and Answer session with Marian Mihail on Thursday.

Mihail was again asked about the relationship between ESI shareholders Tahnoon Nimer and Matt Southall.

This was Mihail’s response:

“The two owners need to come to an agreement or one of the owners needs to step away from the club.

“I know it is repeating what I said last week but myself, Claudiu (Florica) and all the Charlton fans, players and staff hope that Tahnoon Nimer and Mr Southall can put their differences aside and make a good decision for this club. 

“Unfortunately, nothing has changed since last week with regards to this. Mr Southall hasn’t stepped down and, today (May 7th), the club has received a fresh demand from Mr Southall totalling more than £2m, again he will not be paid as we either couldn’t find a contract or proof of work/order but frustratingly it highlights the situation we are in.”

Clearly the two of them will never be able to work together. Nimer is the one who has the funds, so for the good of the club, Southall needs to walk away, but will he?

Without a pay-off from Nimer it looks unlikely. Will Nimer offer Southall a deal? Equally unlikely. So we have an impasse, and until one or the other gives way, the very existence of the club is at risk.

Nimer has pledged to put enough money in to keep the club going through the summer, but will not inject meaningful sums until Southall distances himself from ESI.

The club is under a soft transfer embargo, and Lee Bowyer and Steve Gallen will not be able to do any meaningful recruitment until the embargo is lifted.

Leagues One and Two will be officially scrapped in the next few days, but the EFL are still keen to complete the Championship season‎, but it looks unlikely.

Promotion and relegation will probably be decided on an average points per game basis. Whatever method is used, Charlton look certain to join Luton and Barnsley in League One next season‎.

Last season’s three promoted clubs from League One all relegated at the first time of asking shows how wide the gulf between the Championship and League One now is.

Selling season tickets for the 2020/2021 season will be difficult enough, but relegation will be a hammer blow.