TAKEOVER TALK GIVES MACC FANS FRESH HOPE
WORRIED Macclesfield fans have been given hope their club can survive with the news that a takeover is in the offing.
After yesterday’s game against Crewe was called off, fears grew for the club’s future, but owner Amar Alkadhi has now suggested his controversial tenure could be close to an end.
A statement on the club’s website yesterday said: “Majority shareholder Amar Alkadhi would like to advise that he is currently in advanced negotiations with various third parties, with a view to selling his stake in Macclesfield Town Football Club.
“Although we are bound by obvious legal restrictions at this present time, a further update will be made as soon as we possibly can.”
The news came at the end of another turbulent week for the Silkmen.
The game against Crewe was called off after players refused to play in protest over unpaid wages. The players said their mental wellbeing was at “rock bottom”.
Local businessman Joe Sealey is understood to have made an offer to buy the club from longterm owner and majority shareholder Alkadhi, but talks stalled in November.
Sealey, son of former Manchester United goalkeeper Les, had said he would sustain the financially plagued club.
The Silkmen have endured a series of off-field issues, including an ongoing winding-up petition filed by HM Revenue & Customs that has received the backing of former manager Sol Campbell.
The High Court was told on Wednesday the ex-England defender is owed £180,000.
Some supporters have expressed concern that, without a takeover, Macclesfield’s “extinction” was a genuine possibility.
A “hardship fund” has been set up by fans to help players and staff through the club’s financial crisis, with more than £11,000 having been raised.
In a statement announcing the suspension of yesterday’s game, the EFL said: “Macclesfield Town has informed the EFL that they will not be in a position to fulfil Saturday’s League Two fixture against Crewe Alexandra.
“As a result of this formal notification, the League has been forced to suspend the game and under EFL Regulations, the club is now deemed to be guilty of misconduct and will be referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission. The EFL will now consider the matter of determining when the fixture will be played.
“The EFL had met members of playing staff at Macclesfield Town alongside representatives of the PFA earlier on Friday and during that constructive meeting it was made clear that the health and wellbeing of both the players and staff had been adversely affected by the ongoing late payment of wages and, as a result, would be unable to focus on on-the-pitch matters.
“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.
“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, including the EFL and its member clubs.”