Aberdeen FC plays down fine threat for late paperwork

Aberdeen Football Club bosses have admitted that an “administrative issue” has led to the firm facing a threat of a £5,000 fine for the late filing of paperwork.

Under legal rules for businesses, the football club was required to have filed a confirmation statement with business register Companies House by November 24 last year.

The annual statement ensures the company information kept on the UK Government’s official business register is up to date.

But the club’s filing history currently shows it hasn’t yet been received, bringing with it the threat of a £5,000 fine and the start of a process to strike the company off the register.

A spokeswoman for the club yesterday confirmed the statement has been submitted following a delay in updating its shareholders list.

However confirmation of submissions can take “a few days to update” on the Companies House site, she added.

It’s the latest talking point to hit Aberdeen FC this week following the disastrous 1-0 defeat by the part-timers of West of Scotland Premier League leaders Darvel on Monday night.

The news sparked concern among fans on social media with the screenshot from Companies House causing speculation over what it might mean if the club faces being “struck off ”.

The filing of the statement is a routine annual administrative process for most businesses.

However the register’s filing history shows that the process can be slow.

The last confirmation statement submitted by Aberdeen Football Club was made on time on November 10 2021, and uploaded to Companies House by December 1 that year.

A spokeswoman for AFC said: “It’s essentially an administrative issue and there is nothing untoward here.

“The club has sent in the confirmation statement following a delay in getting the updated shareholders list from the registrar but it can take a few days to update on Companies House.”

AFC chiefs would have been hoping to avoid any further headlines following on from an embarrassing few days for the club, manager, players and fans.

Manager Jim Goodwin has so far held on to his position with club chairman Dave Cormack saying players remain “behind” him.

NO FOUL PLAY: Aberdeen FC has said a late admin filing by the club to Companies House is ‘nothing untoward’.

Dons boss Jim Goodwin has been feeling the pressure.