Postponed game means punishment pending
MACCLESFIELD Town face a nervous wait to see what consequences will come from their home game against Crewe Alexandra being postponed.
A joint statement was issued an behalf of players and staff on Thursday, December 5, saying the match would not go ahead.
It said that wages had once again not been paid and that their ‘emotional and mental wellbeing was at rock bottom’.
The English Football League (EFL) then released a statement saying that although it had ‘considerable sympathy’ it deemed the club guilty of misconduct and it will go before an independent disciplinary commission. This is in addition to the misconduct proceedings ongoing from last month.
The EFL statement said: “The EFL has considerable sympathy with the difficulties faced by all those affected at the club and is continuing to offer appropriate support to players via the PFA and to staff through our partnership with mental health charity Mind.
“In addition to the existing and potential future regulatory action being taken, the EFL will continue to work on assisting in attempting to secure an appropriate resolution to the overall challenge facing the club.
“It has been utilising central payments to ensure players and staff were paid whilst the owner has looked to find a sustainable longer-term solution. It does remain the obligation of the club to find a way to deliver on the commitments it has made to its players, staff and other stakeholders.”
Players went on strike last month over unpaid wages and as a result a side of largely youth players was fielded against Kingstonian in the FA Cup, losing 4-0.
A joint statement, on behalf of Macclesfield players and staff, was issued on Thursday.
It said: “As a group, we’d like to inform the EFL and Crewe Alexandra Football Club that the game on Saturday won’t be taking place despite growing reports that it is ‘business as usual’.
“This is down to the fact that salaries have not been paid for last month.
“We have not trained as a squad since last Thursday due to the fact we have no training ground but, most importantly, the game can’t go ahead for the emotional and mental well-being of the players which is currently rock bottom. We hope our own fans, who have been tremendous, Crewe fans and the whole of the football community can understand this decision with it being such an important month for us all on and off the pitch.”