PricewaterhouseCoopers is, and still is, the financial, statutory auditor - with the duty to give an opinion on financial statement verity - of some of the biggest players in the financial crisis.

FORBES: PCAOB Criticizes Quality At PwC; Nothing Happens

But in the statement, it said the panel worked "within the adoption legislation which includes ensuring that statutory and personal references are undertaken, alongside criminal record bureau checks and medicals".

BBC: Council's adoption process slow and "humiliating"

In a statement it said it was "disappointed" by ACL's decision to issue a statutory demand, rather than "negotiate a level of rent which the club can afford and which is in line with the rent paid by other clubs".

BBC: Coventry City FC faces ?1.1m rent demand