The American businessman leading the takeover of Derby County has failed to meet a key deadline to buy the club, leaving supporters pleading for the “absolute shambles” to be resolved.

The American investor Chris Kirchner has failed to provide the evidence that he can proceed with the deal after missing a deadline at 5pm on Friday.

The club’s administrators said that Kirchner is continuing to work on the proposal while they resurrect negotiations with other interested parties – which are believed to still include former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley.

Kal Singh Dhindsa, a lifelong Derby fan, told Sky News: “This whole saga has been an absolute shambles. The fans have been treated abysmally.

“Our club has been used like a literal football kicked about from pillar to post for months now.

“It has been deeply frustrating and caused much mental anguish to many. How much longer can this go on for? Enough is enough.

“Either the ball bursts or we get a new wind of change. But please, just put us out of our misery one way or the other.”

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The club, which is a founder member of the football league, was relegated from the Championship in May despite a huge effort from manager Wayne Rooney’s squad.

Ultimately they couldn’t overcome the 21-point deduction that had been imposed on the club.

Derby was given with a 12-point deduction for sliding into administration and then the club’s administrators agreed another deduction of nine points, plus a further suspended three points, for historical financial breaches under former owner Mel Morris.

In May, Kirchner appeared on the club’s “Rams TV” channel proclaiming his commitment and admiration for Derby County – he also confirmed he’d been looking at buying other English clubs before settling on Derby.

The status of the Pride Park stadium has been one of the main stumbling blocks in the takeover as it was a separate part of the deal.

The Rams Trust fan group told Sky News: “We understand the deal is far from straightforward but for the sake of the supporters, the players, the club staff and everyone connected to Derby this has to be resolved.

“There is so much at stake – if there are other credible buyers, which we know there are, then let’s get on with it.”

Quantuma, the administrators, have now reopened the sale process after previously entering into exclusive negotiations with Kirchner.

The EFL said: “As previously communicated, the League is incredibly frustrated at the time it is taking to conclude this sale.

“With the League just two weeks away from announcing its 2022/23 fixture list, it urgently requires a clear understanding of how the club will be funded moving forwards, be that through the administrators or under new ownership.”

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