Silkmen are given extra time for tax payments to clear
YET another court appearance saw Macclesfield Town claim they have settled their tax debt – but government officials reply they had yet to receive the money.
The Silkmen were at the specialist Insolvency and Companies Court, in London, on Wednesday, November 20.
It was their seventh court appearance this year and it has also emerged the club in part blame Brexit for their trouble clearing debts.
Officials from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) had applied to wind up the club, saying £180,000 was owed. A lawyer representing Macclesfield Town told Judge Sally Barber the money had been paid. But HMRC officials said the payment had yet to clear.
Judge Barber adjourned matters for two weeks - until December 4 - so that HMRC could make checks regarding the payment.
Barrister Niall McCulloch told another judge at a previous hearing in October that Macclesfield bosses were waiting for ‘international payments’ to come through.
He said he understood that Brexit was having ‘some impact’ and asked for more time to pay. Other matters also hang over the club.
The English Football League (EFL) has charged it with misconduct over non-payment of wages and referred it to a disciplinary committee.
Potential sanctions include a points deduction and expulsion from the EFL although there are more lenient options.
The issue of wages had led the players to go on strike although this was then resolved earlier this month.
Fan dissatisfaction has seen protests outside the ground and an online petition calling for Amar AlKadhi to ‘be removed’ as owner has now reached nearly 1,500 signatures.
In addition, businessman Joe Sealey, son of former Manchester United goalkeeper Les, has made an offer to buy the club but said he had been left in the dark by no response from Mr AlKadhi.
Macclesfield Town have been contacted for comment but no one was available.