Silkmen’s shock as EFL appeal panel’s verdict M
ACCLESFIELD Town FC insist they are ‘shocked and profoundly disappointed’ by the English Football League’s decision to appeal against the sanctions imposed on the club in June.
The Silkmen’s Football League status appeared to have been secured when an independent disciplinary commission ruled last month they should be docked two points over non-payments of wages.
The ruling ensured Stevenage, bottom of the league, would be relegated to the National League. However, several rival clubs voiced their opinion that the punishment was too lenient and their disapproval led to
Football League chairman Rick Parry weighing up whether or not to contest the two-point deduction for breaches of regulations. It was confirmed on Friday that the EFL would indeed challenge the sanctions.
Macclesfield were docked 13 points in total in the 2019-20 season, which was curtailed early after a vote by clubs because of the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement on the club’s official website, the Silkmen added they “will vigorously refute the perceived notion that the commission’s previous judgment was is in any way invalid”.
The statement read: ‘Macclesfield Town are both shocked and profoundly disappointed to confirm that the English Football League have decided to appeal against the outcome of an Independent Disciplinary Commission, in respect of misconduct charges levied against the Club.
‘These charges relate to the payment of player salaries in March 2020 and have previously been examined by the relevant Commission on two separate occasions.
‘On 19th June 2020, the Commission ruled that the Club was to be deducted a further two points from the 2019/20 Sky Bet League Two table, as well as imposing a £20,000 fine “subject to the EFL, in it’s absolute discretion, considering whether to waive, defer or repay the same in the light of the business plan required.”
‘This matter will now be referred back to an Independent Disciplinary Commission once again, where we will vigorously refute the perceived notion that the Commission’s previous judgment was is in any way invalid.
‘The Club will provide a further update in due course.’
Following the independent panel’s decision on 19 June, Stevenage chairman Phil Wallace declared his club were not ready to give up on their fight for survival and the EFL’s ruling revives their hopes of surviving in League Two, despite the face they won just three games all season compared to Macc’s seven victories.
An EFL statement on Friday said: “The EFL board has determined the League will appeal against the outcome of an independent disciplinary commission in respect of misconduct charges brought against Macclesfield Town.
“Those charges related to failing to pay a number of players on the applicable payment dates due in March 2020, failing to act with utmost good faith in respect of matters with the EFL and for breaching an order, requirement, direction or instruction of the League.
“As advised by the EFL on 19 June 2020, the commission ruled that the club was to be deducted a further two points from the 2019-20 League Two table and fined £20,000.”
The independent panel ruled that a further four points should be deducted but suspended, and only activated if the club failed to pay its players on time during next season.
The panel’s original decision stated Macclesfield’s misconduct did “not necessitate a sporting sanction which would result in its relegation from League Two” and added that the points-pergame calculation used to decide final positions in the table had adversely affected the club, as the 13 points deducted would be equivalent to approximately 16 over a 46-game season.