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Wigan Athletic face a race to find a buyer by the end of the month – or their EFL future is in doubt. The club’s administrators revealed the shock news after their latest bidder pulled out and admitted they would NOT run the club when the season starts. Latics is up for sale and letting […] More
MACCLESFIELD were left shocked after being booted back into non-league football as the EFL won their appeal against the Silkmen’s suspended points deduction.
In a stunning move, an independent arbitration panel backed the EFL who argued the four-point penalty imposed and suspended in June should apply immediately.
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Macclesfield Town have been relegated from League Two after a points deductionCredit: PA:Press Association
With the decision “final and binding”, the Cheshire club were plunged to the foot of the League Two table and sent through the trapdoor back into the National League for the second time in their history.
And it meant a dramatic reprieve for Stevenage, after the Hertfordshire side finished bottom of the pile after picking up just 22 points from their 36 games before the shutdown.
Instead, Macclesfield paid the ultimate price for a series of financial problems which left players unpaid, fixtures postponed and the deduction of a total of 17 points over the campaign.
Macclesfield had seven points deducted – with a further three point loss suspended – for failing to fulfil their local derby at Crewe in December.
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It’s great news for Stevenage who are now staying upCredit: Reuters
In May, they lost those three points, plus four more – with an extra two suspended – when their home game with Plymouth was postponed because of no safety certificate.
And in June they appeared to have survived when the independent commission docked them just two points for failing to pay March wages and not acting in good faith, with another four point loss again suspended into next season.
With League Two positions determined on a points per game basis, Macclesfield remained above Stevenage but the EFL announced last month it was appealing.
That appeal verdict, meaning the Silkmen’s 19 points from 37 games takes them below Stevenage, was announced last night.
Macclesfield’s official website merely reported the EFL’s statement, ending briefly: “The club will be providing further comment in due course.”
But fans accused the EFL of orchestrating a “farce”, accusing League chiefs of “corruption at its finest” although one added: “Fans have a right to be angry – let down by their club and poor ownership and management.”
Stevenage, who had been incandescent at the initial punishment, offered a muted official response.
The club’s Twitter feed reported: “The outcome of today’s EFL hearing means that StevenageFC will remain in SkyBet League Two next season.”
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CHARLTON are in danger of heading the same way as Bury unless owners ESI sell the club.
SunSport understands an appeal lodged by the Addicks against the EFL’s decision to ban chairman Paul Elliott and club lawyer Chris Farnell from taking over is doomed.
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Charlton are in danger of becoming another Bury – unless current owners ESI sellCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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Ex-Southampton manager Dave Jones was set to be made Charlton’s special football adviser, but that appointment may be delayedCredit: PA:Press Association
The League are currently instructing an independent panel to hear the case but their original decision is deemed bullet proof by EFL legal eagle Nick Craig.
Worryingly, for Addicks fans, Farnell was the lawyer acting for Bury last summer before they were booted out of the EFL after failing to provide proof of funding.
While – in another twist – Farnell was planning to appoint former Southampton and Wolves boss Dave Jones today as special football adviser.
Jones also held the same role at Bury last summer.
But that may now be put back after a video showed Charlton supporters interrupting a meeting Farnell was staging with Jones at his Manchester office on Friday – as they sought to confront him.
The owners are telling the fans all is good yet behind the scenes they’re looking to sell prized assets as they’re desperate for cash.
SunSport source
Jones is, however, already working on selling fans’ favourite and keeper Dillon Phillips and has recommended three overseas players to the club although they are currently under a transfer embargo.
A well-placed source told SunSport: “The current owners are telling the fans all is good yet behind the scenes they’re looking to sell prized assets because they’re desperate for cash.”
Farnell resigned his position yesterday as a director of ESI but remains as club lawyer.
SunSport understands by removing himself from that position, he is hoping that will satisfy one of the EFL’s conditions for passing the test.
Former chief executive Peter Varney and ex-Ritz owner Andrew Barclay both still want to take-over the club.
And the two have the finances in place to complete a deal – but as things stand they are unable to negotiate as no-one is sure yet who owns the club.
If Farnell and Elliott fail their appeal, the club will either revert back to the control of ESI majority shareholder Tahnoon Nimer or to other individuals appointed by ESI, who will then be subjected to the League’s fit and proper owners’ test.
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Ex-chief executive Peter Varney, as well as former Ritz owner Andrew Barclay, are both still keen to take over the AddicksCredit: PA:Press Association
If it is the former, the Abu Dhabi businessman will be keen to negotiate a deal with Varney and Barclay.
The situation is complicated by the fact the Addicks no longer own The Valley or training ground – which was retained by former owner Roland Duchatelet.
Nimer wants shot of the club to rid himself of a £50m commitment to buy back the land from the Belgian.
‘ALMOST MIRROR IMAGE’ OF BURY
The big concern is, with the club appealing a decision they know is certain to fail, they run the risk of being in a Bury situation next month.
An insider told SunSport: “It’s almost a mirror image. The EFL could postpone their first fixture and say they need evidence of someone funding the club.
“Tahnoon has already failed to provide proof of funds so probably won’t be able to this time either.
“If the club is then not sold, they will almost certainly run a huge risk of expulsion.”
The EFL has told SunSport there is no timeframe for the appeal process to be completed although they were hoping it would be concluded “as soon as possible”.
It is understood one thing that could go in Charlton’s favour, unlike Bury, is they do not currently have any insolvency issues. More
CHARLTON owner Paul Elliott has been blocked from running the club by the EFL.
Manchester-based Elliott was told that he has been disqualified from taking control after a directors test
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Charlton’s proposed takeover looks in doubt after three people failed the English Football League’s Owners and Directors’ Test
Elliott had been quizzed about his takeover of the company and the EFL were unhappy with the answers.
Now Elliott has immediately appealed and plans to go to the High Court to fight the decision.
Romanian Andrei Mihail, a director of East Street Investments who own the club, was also ruled out by the EFL but has now resigned.
And in a further twist Charlton have seen doubts raised about the imminent signings of Conor Washington and Alex Gilbey.
Striker Washington is due to join from Scottish side Hearts while midfielder Gilbey is leaving MK Dons at the end of his contract.
A third player, Aussie starlet Matt Dench, has flown in from Perth to sign but should be allowed to stay on as an academy player.
Charlton notified the EFL at the start of the week that they were planning to sign players under “soft embargo” rules.
However the EFL are now claiming they are under a more strict embargo after notifying former owner Roland Duchatelet about that decision – rather than the club.
That decision is also to be contested by Elliott as he fights to stay in control and get a team on the park next month.
The in-fighting also escalated when Charlton lawyer Chris Farnell was harassed by fans at his offices in Manchester.
Farnell called the police after a group of masked supporters came into his HQ.
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BURY FC’S application to be placed into a league this coming season has been rejected by the FA.
Football’s governing body told the Shakers — who were expelled from the EFL last year — it is NOT convinced they will be ready in time to start the new season.
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Bury have been trying to renew their Lancashire FA membershipCredit: PA:Empics Sport
One of the reasons the FA gave for rejecting the two-time FA Cup winners is the concern that the club do not have a first-team manager or players.
It is also unhappy the club are not currently affiliated to the Lancashire FA.
Yet SunSport has seen proof Bury have been trying to renew their Lancashire FA membership since April.
But the local FA had furloughed most of its staff due to Covid-19.
We also understand Bury have a former top-flight footballer who will help run the club, while current chairman Steve Dale will step down.
The FA said it will consider an application for the 2021-22 season — yet stated even if Bury FC meet all its criteria it can not guarantee putting them into a league.
Dale says he found £17million debt after taking over and agreed a company voluntary arrangement to repay a quarter of it.
But the FA insists that Bury must pay footballer creditors in full, thought to be about £1.5m.
The Shakers say this is impossible but if the club can survive they can pay a percentage.
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WIGAN ATHLETIC’S hope of a relegation reprieve was shattered by an EFL appeals panel that confirmed a 12-point penalty.
Latics administrators lost out at the end of a season of pain and the decision to enforce the punishment means they go down to League One.
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Wigan Athletic’s relegation to League One has been confirmed after failing in their points appeal
The appeal, costing an estimated £480,000 at the hard-up outfit, fell on deaf ears – with Barnsley left celebrating their survival.
Three top judges were called in for one of the most delicate decisions the EFL faced and they went through the arguments put forward by Wigan’s side.
The decision of Hong Kong owners Au Yeung and Stanley Choi to pull the plug at the start of July has sent their old club down.
And while the recriminations and investigations into their behaviour go on, Wigan are now left facing a bleak few weeks as they fight for their future.
The Latics said: “The club put forward a strong case and naturally we are disappointed at the decision. The first-team management will now prepare the team for next season’s League One campaign.”
The club put forward a strong case and naturally we are disappointed at the decision
Wigan Athletic
The cost of relegation is painful for Latics who miss out on the TV money at Championship level and will have to rebuild with a lesser hand-out.
That payment drops from around £6.2million to an estimated £775,000 in League One and leaves their next owners with little help.
Left back Antonee Robinson can now leave for a bargain £1.5m because of a clause in his deal when he signed from Everton.
The United States international, who was set to sign for AC Milan in a move worth £6m and rising in January, could go for a fraction of that fee.
Midfielder Joe Williams, who has now suffered three relegations in a row, also has a fixed price in his deal – of around £2.5m.
Deals for target man Kieffer Moore and teenage striker Joe Gelhardt will have to be hurried along to help the cash flow.
Wigan are now facing a bleak few weeks as a number of their top stars gear up to leave
Bizarrely, Moore’s imminent £2m exit will pay for HIMSELF as former club Barnsley are due an instalment of around £1.5m for selling him a year ago.
The EFL will take the cash from sales and distribute them to Wigan’s football creditors, leaving the change for the unpaid salaries and wage deferral schemes.
The players left in the squad will also now face massive cuts in their salaries, around 40 to 50 per cent.
That will save a large amount from the payroll next season, but it is a savage blow for the squad who thought they had beaten the drop after a superb end to the season including an 8-0 win over Hull.
Those wages are now late and a sale or two is needed or the squad can serve notice and walk out for nothing.
The administrators have also been frustrated by two more preferred bidders failing to sign up in the last few days.
The asking price of the club is dropping and that may bring Wigan Warriors RL chief Ian Lenagan back into play.
Wigan deducted 12 points and facing relegation from Championship after going into administration amid financial crisis More
FOOTBALL fans may be allowed to watch the match from the stands with a beer in hand again after a 35-year ban, according to reports.
The Mail claim that football’s drinks ruling – that booze cannot be taken within sight of the pitch – may be ditched as part of the UK Government’s plans for sport post-coronavirus.
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Football fans in England may soon be allowed to bring beers to their seats after a 35-year banCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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Critics of the current legislation point to other sports, such as cricket, where attendees can drink and watch the action from their seatsCredit: Reuters
The Conservatives hope fans will start returning to stadiums by the end of October, and they are considering whether to let supporters take alcoholic drinks to their seats.
The Premier League is pulling together medical experts, Government figures and the Sports Grounds Safety Authority to discuss its options.
Boris Johnson has been keen to allow people back into pubs and bars as part of his earliest measures to re-open the UK economy.
And any change must be made via a vote in the House of Commons, as the ban in England and Wales was implemented by law in the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol, etc) Act 1985.
Scotland’s own booze ban was introduced in 1980.
Hooliganism in grounds was a bigger problem in English football in the Eighties – now it is far less prevalent inside stadiums.
To have a blanket ban on alcohol in view of the playing area remaining is, in our view, disproportionate to today’s level of risk.
Shaun Harvey, 2018
It is hoped that it would lead to more sensible drinking if it can be spaced out throughout the match and fans aren’t just loading up before the match and at half-time.
Football’s senior figures have also pointed out the difference in attitudes to other live sporting events.
In 2018, then-EFL chairman Shaun Harvey led calls for the ban to be ended.
Harvey said: “There is no doubt football has changed dramatically in the 30-plus years since the introduction of the act and to have a blanket ban on alcohol in view of the playing area remaining in 2018 is, in our view, disproportionate to today’s level of risk.
“Alongside the potential increase in disorder considerations, one of the key issues that requires further examination is the fact football is being treated inconsistently with other sports – some that occur in the same venue.
“The EFL would always request football is treated consistently and given the same opportunities as other sports, so the many law-abiding citizens attending matches who wish to be able to drink while posing no threat to public order are able to do so.”
Earlier that year, Uefa ended their alcohol ban at Champions League and Europa League matches with Fifa also allowing booze at seats at the Russia World Cup.
A similar move here could benefit clubs in the lower divisions, who need to entice fans back into the ground.
Spreading out drinking time could also mean fewer queues and crushes, which means social distancing is more likely to be adhered to.
That said, some potential match-going supporters may be put off by the prospect of more boozing in the stands and the possible safety implications.
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KALVIN PHILLIPS has had a shock approach to play international football for… JAMAICA.
The Leeds skipper qualifies for the Caribbean country through his dad — and he now faces a massive call over his future.
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Kalvin Phillips has been approached to play for Jamaica
Midfielder Phillips, 24, was born in Leeds and has always wanted to play for England. But he has never been selected at any level.
Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate is following his progress closely as he develops into one of the best in the business under Marcelo Bielsa.
But Jamaica are in first and have contacted Leeds asking for permission to sit down with Phillips and try to convince him to pick them.
Jamaica see Phillips as a key player in an ambitious push to get back on to the World Cup stage and recreate their Reggae Boyz heroics.
Several dual-nationality stars, including Robbie Earle, helped them make the finals in 1998 and they desperately want Phillips to follow in their footsteps.
England could make a counter move by calling him up for their next internationals.
But Southgate now faces a fight to secure his services.
Phillips was widely rated the best player outside the Prem last season.
And he would be a £25million target for top clubs if Elland Road chiefs ever wanted to sell.
Now the real battle for him is being fought out on the international stage.
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