Fulfil fixture for integrity: Artell

CREWE Alexandra manager David Artell says he wants his side to fulfil their match with Macclesfield Town in order to protect the competition - rather than raise a case to be awarded the points instead.

Due to the ongoing financial difficulties surrounding Macclesfield that has seen the squad not receive their wages, the Silkmen players refused to play the planned match with

Crewe over the weekend.

Despite seeing his team miss out on the game, Crewe boss Artell has revealed he wants the game to be re-arranged, instead of it being deemed an automatic win for Crewe.

“It was out of our hands last week and there was nothing we could do about it. It is what it is,” he said.

“It didn’t help that is for sure. We found out Friday afternoon after all the preparation had been done, so it would have been nice to have notified beforehand but I am not complaining.

“Having something like that happen is part of parcel of being a footballer. You just have to get on with it.

“It is similar to when a game is postponed due to the weather. You just have to adapt.

“It is just sad what is happening at Macclesfield. No-one wants to see another Bury and I hope that it gets sorted out and the players and staff get paid.

“I know there was some bashing of the EFL and all that but that is not their doing. It is the doing of the owner of Macclesfield and the EFL are caught in the middle of it. They would have done everything they could of to get it resolved. They won’t be happy about it.

“The players were adamant that they were not going to play and that was their choice. They could have played but that is a lot different from should of played.

“They felt that had to make a stance and I can understand that.

“For me the integrity of the competition is paramount and needs to be protected so we would play the game again.

“That way the other teams cannot complain and I think that is the right thing we do.

“All I would say is that they had two players suspended who will be available for them when it is re-arranged. Now for me for the integrity of the competition has to upheld and they shouldn’t be available for our game.”

Macclesfield’s next scheduled match is due to take place on Saturday, as they’re set to head to the Bescot Stadium to take on Walsall.

Macclesfield are currently in 15th place in the League Two table, while Walsall find themselves two positions below the Silkmen in 17th spot.