Barnsley Tyke a pop at EFL and make a call for change
BARNSLEY have hit out at the English Football League in a strong statement, blasting a “blatant disregard for sporting integrity” in the Championship.
The Tykes managed to avoid relegation by a point but have called for a “change to the system.”
Barnsley have been one of the clubs most vocal when it comes to the recent legal cases plaguing the Championship, with Sheffield Wednesday and Derby both charged by the EFL while Wigan Athletic have entered administration.
The Owls and Derby have both been charged with financial misconduct in relation to the sale and leasing back of their stadiums, accusations which the clubs refute.
In a statement, Barnsley said: “The 2019/2020 season has been fraught with tribulation on and off the field.
“Through it all, our staff, players, supporters and community have continued to believe.
“Foremost, this is a statement of sincere gratitude to those who pushed themselves for the betterment of our club.
“In the end we persevered remain in the Championship.”
The statement added: “There are a host of reasons why we took the fight for safety to the last day.
“Mistakes made internally and on the field, a bad bounce or run of luck. As a club, we accept the challenges of 2019/20 were our own and we must subjectively assess our performance.
“What Barnsley cannot accept is the blatant disregard for sporting/ competitive integrity and the lack of governance in our division.
“Clubs were charged with breaching rules surrounding Financial Fair Play and harming the EFL and its members.
“One ownership group (which was approved by the EFL) failed in its duty to provide the requisite support to its respective Championship organisation.
“One other ownership group completed a takeover and provided funding to a club without ever being approved by the EFL to become owners of that club.
“Another competitor has yet to pay a transfer fee to Barnsley FC due in August 2019. Several clubs have been delinquent in payment to contracted players.
“We ask, where is the competitive balance? Our club, on a substantially smaller budget, has paid every professional player under contract 100% of his wages this season, one of the few Sky Bet Championship clubs to do so.”
The club went on: “It is clear there has to be a change to the system.
“Just as our staff, players, club employees, and supporters have fought this season, so too will your club continue the fight by all means necessary.”
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