DONS SET TO TALK AFTER AFC GET LET-OFF...
THE EFL have dropped charges against AFC Wimbledon after they didn’t mention MK Dons on the front of their programme when the two sides met at Kingsmeadow back in September.
The Dons referred to their opponents only as ‘Milton Keynes’ and ‘MK’ inside the publication, as well as on the scoreboard.
The club was charged in December for breaching ‘Regulation 3’ of the EFL rules that states no member should unfairly criticise or discredit any of their fellow clubs.
Feelings run strong between the two clubs, with AFC Wimbledon’s existence stemming from the original Wimbledon FC’s relocation to Milton Keynes in 2002.
But, following what the EFL described as ‘positive dialogue’ between both sides and plans for mediation between the parties, the governing body have decided no action will be taken against the Dons.
EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey said: “The EFL understands the history and the strong feelings associated with the two clubs and we will now look to work with them both in an attempt to secure a positive outcome.”
Mark Davis, chairman of the Dons Trust Board, said: “We will participate fully in the mediation process with the aim of arriving at an outcome that is acceptable to all parties, including the Dons Trust membership, who are the owners of AFC Wimbledon.”
Andrew Cullen, MK Dons executive director, said: “We feel the opportunity for a mediation process, facilitated by the EFL, to be much more preferable than formal disciplinary proceedings, with the possibility of sanctions, which may further entrench the strong feelings on this matter amongst supporters of the two clubs. We are grateful to the EFL for their leadership on this sensitive matter.”