Fitzpatrick: EFL trying to throw us out M
ACCLESFIELD Town defender David Fitzpatrick has accused the EFL of ‘trying their best’ to throw the club out of the Football League.
The Silkmen are facing potential disciplinary action and would be relegated should they be deducted more than three points.
Last week, clubs in League Two opted to use a framework for ending the season put forward by the English Football League board, which meant the final table would be calculated using an unweighted points-per game basis.
The framework retained promotion, relegation and the traditional four-team play-offs.
As things stand, Stevenage will be relegated to the National League but Macclesfield could yet finish bottom if they incur further points deductions for alleged breaches of EFL regulations.
Now, Fitzpatrick believes the club’s 11-point deduction – handed down before the calculation of points-pergame – is ‘unfair’.
He said: “Everyone at the club is ‘confused’ and upset’ by the EFL’s method in calculating PPG.
“Deducting 11 points before calculating PPG is incorrect, unfair and does not reflect properly on any previous sanctions given to the club. As it stands, Macclesfield Town have been deducted a total of 13.67 points instead of 11 points.
“The owner acknowledges that he has mistreated his players this season, but advises that he and the club have already paid and accepted those previous charges.
“As players this season, we have worked tirelessly through adversity. Changes of management, late payments and a number of separate points deductions.
“It is fair to say that we feel the EFL are trying their best to throw Macclesfield Town out of the league.
“Any short comings this season have been as a result of the things that are out of the players control, and with the current level of publicity and charges against the club, the players are now facing a very uncertain future.
“Not only are players careers at stake, but nonplaying staff’s jobs and livelihoods are also on the line. As the current longest serving player at the club, the future of Macclesfield Town is very important to me.
“We are a small club, who are always fighting against the odds, but that’s what makes us such a great story.
“The fans deserve happier days, so I hope that common sense will prevail at the EFL, in terms of the current ‘unfair’ PPG calculations.
“And, I also hope that any independent disciplinary panel will take into consideration, the volume of previous sanctions already imposed, the current global climate and the amount of lives that will be affected.”
Stevenage, meanwhile, are currently on course to be relegated to the National League, but club owner Phil Wallace assumes there will be a charge for Macclesfield and believes there ‘should be consequences’ for the club.
Wallace told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It’s definitely not the end for us. It’s a process. We are 24th but it is subject to the disciplinary procedures against Macclesfield.
“They have a charge to answer for not paying players on time. That’s the sixth time this season. There is a definite competitive advantage gained by doing that.
“There should be consequences, there always has been in the past so I assume there will be a points deduction.”
“The fairer way would have been for one or two clubs to come up from the National League and go to 25 clubs for one season,” he added. “Then put that right next season in terms of balancing the numbers again.
“I just can’t see the downside to that. And I’m disappointed that we couldn’t see through the woods to use it as a solution.
“We were keen to put our proposal across. The FA and EFL would have probably approved it so it’s disappointing that this hasn’t been adopted.
“But we live in a democratic world and we’ve all had our say.”
Wallace also admits there will be massive financial implications if Stevenage were to go down to the National League.
“The National League do not have streaming in place,” he added.
“They can’t go back until the crowds go back. Their clubs rely on paying gates, fans coming into the stadium, bars, programmes etc.
“But, in the EFL, all the games can be streamed. We’re quite optimistic with the steaming, at three o’clock on a Saturday afternoon. It’s never been done before. But, in the National League, it will be a disaster.”
Meanwhile, Macclesfield have released 10 players following the expiration of their contracts.
In an statement on the club’s official website last Tuesday (June 9), the club announced only two players have been retained.
A statement on the club’s website said: “Macclesfield Town are pleased to be able to announce our retained and released lists ahead of the forthcoming 2020/2021 campaign.
“Firstly, the Club have activated one-year extensions contained within the contracts of the following players - Fiacre Kelleher, Fraser Horsfall.
“In addition to this, the Club is in the process of offering the following players extended deals to remain at the Moss Rose next season - David Fitzpatrick, Harry Hamblin, Joe Ironside, Jak McCourt, Ben Tollitt.
“Further updates with regard to these players will be communicated in due course.
“Those players who were on loan at the Football Club during the 2019/20 season will return to their parent Clubs with our heartfelt thanks. These being; Jonathan Mitchell, Connor Kirby, Corey O’Keeffe, Danny Whitehead, Shilow Tracey. Finally, the below players have not been offered renewed terms at the Football Club and depart with our very best wishes - Jacob Blyth, Nathan Cameron, Reice Charles-Cook, Adam Dawson, Arthur Gnahoua, James Pearson, Michael Rose, Ben Stephens, Donovan Wilson, Peter Vincenti.”