"It is enormously disappointing that Greater Manchester Police have made the threat this morning which puts our entire future into doubt.
We have been told that unless we pay the disputed bill of £273,602 by a deadline of August 1st 2005, Policing will be withdrawn from our matches. The repercussions of this would result in Wigan Athletic being unable to play any Premiership fixtures at the JJB Stadium.
We feel the charges that have been placed upon us are grossly unfair and as a result we are standing firm and will not be paying this bill.
We are prepared to put the money Greater Manchester Police say is owed to them into a holding account while court proceedings are taking place. If judgement is ruled against us, Wigan Athletic would happily fulfil its obligations and pay the outstanding bill.
Premiership football will bring great benefits to the entire town of Wigan, not just the Football Club and it's Chairman. Local business leaders have estimated that companies in the town will gain additional income of £11 million as a result of Wigan Athletic being in the top flight of English Football. It would be a disaster for the town as well as the Football Club if we were to have our future placed in jeopardy by this threat to withdraw Policing from matches.
Wigan Athletic is prepared to continuing working with Greater Manchester Police to resolve this situation."
It seems as though the Police have decided - against the previous agreement reached last season - that they will deal with this outside the courts, and take matters into their own hands.
The GMP have demanded the payment by the 1st August, a deadline that will no doubt pass without payment. Should the GMP choose to deal with this issue outside of court.
If the game [against Chelsea] be cancelled there will be up roar in the town of Wigan, and the people of Wigan would become very aggressive towards the police.
This is no doubt just another empty threat from little people in high places. Similar to the one made mid-way through the promotion season.