MX23RW : Sunday, November 17 10:31:00| >> :600:27022671:27022671:

EFL to meet with Macclesfield players over plans to boycott Crewe game

The first team had followed through on a strike threat for the FA Cup tie against Kingstonian.

The EFL is to meet with Macclesfield players to talk through the situation at the club and whether the Sky Bet League Two match against Crewe and potentially other fixtures can go ahead.

Last month, the Cheshire club were charged with misconduct by the EFL over their failure to pay players.

The first team had followed through on a strike threat during November, forcing Macclesfield to field youth team players in an FA Cup tie against Kingstonian, which they lost 4-0.

On Thursday, a joint statement issued on behalf of Macclesfield players and staff said the Crewe game would not be going ahead as scheduled, although there has been no official confirmation the game is off.

"The EFL will meet the players of Macclesfield Town to discuss the current situation at the club, amid ongoing concern of the impact of late payments of wages on the health and wellbeing of those involved and their willingness to fulfil the club's scheduled League Two fixture against Crewe Alexandra on Saturday 7 December and potentially other fixtures moving forward," a statement from the EFL on Thursday afternoon read.

"The EFL notes today's latest statement from the players at the club alongside the recent comments made by the majority shareholder Mr Alkadhi, and it is clear there are challenges to be overcome.

"The League has significant sympathy for the players and employees, who continue to feel the substantial impact of the continued financial challenges."

Macclesfield Town's Moss Rose ground
Macclesfield have been charged by the EFL over the non-payment of players (Richard Sellers/PA)

Non-fulfilment of the fixture would trigger another disciplinary breach for the League Two club, who already face a charge of misconduct regarding their failure to pay players.

On Wednesday, at a hearing in the specialist Insolvency and Companies Court in London, a judge heard former Macclesfield manager Sol Campbell wants the club to be wound up because debts have not been paid. The case was adjourned for two weeks.

Macclesfield have become the latest EFL club to experience financial difficulties, with Bury being expelled from the league in August and Bolton only surviving thanks to a last-ditch takeover.

The EFL statement added: "Since first being alerted to the financial challenges faced by the club, the EFL has worked tirelessly in an attempt to source an appropriate resolution, utilising central payments to ensure players and staff were paid whilst the owner has looked to find a sustainable longer term solution to the ongoing issues.

"It remains the club's obligation to find a way to deliver on the commitments it has made both in private and public to the current issues being faced."

The EFL added all available support would continue to be provided and that it "fully understands the reasons for the position adopted by the players and their current concerns."

However, the governing body said it must also "ensure the integrity of the League is maintained."

Thursday's EFL statement concluded: "Therefore, the club will be subject to a further misconduct charge under Regulation 31.2 for non-fulfilment of fixtures if Saturday's match does not take place as scheduled."

Earlier on Thursday, a joint statement issued on behalf of Macclesfield players and staff said the Crewe game would not be going ahead as scheduled.

It is understood the Professional Footballers' Association is in constant discussions with Macclesfield's players and the EFL over the matter.

"As a group, we'd like to inform the EFL and Crewe Alexandra Football Club that the game on Saturday won't be taking place despite growing reports that is is 'business as usual'," the statement read.

"This is down to the fact that salaries have not been paid for last month.

"We have not trained as a squad since last Thursday due to the fact we have no training ground but, most importantly, the game can't go ahead for the emotional and mental well-being of the players which is currently rock bottom.

"We hope that our own fans, who have been tremendous, Crewe fans and the whole of the football community can understand this decision with it being such an important month for us all on and off the pitch."

ID:381838: cacheID:381838:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8409:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
General view of Macclesfield Town's Moss Rose from 2014
Read Next:
Macclesfield players and staff to boycott Crewe match over unpaid wages
>
Read more about Sol Campbell Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Packers
@
Bears
6pm
Raiders
@
Dolphins
6pm
Colts
@
Jets
6pm
Jags
@
Lions
6pm
Rams
@
Patriots
6pm
Browns
@
Saints
6pm
Ravens
@
Steelers
6pm
Vikings
@
Titans
9.05pm
Seahawks
@
49ers
9.05pm
Falcons
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Chiefs
@
Bills
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Port Vale1610332416833
2Crewe AlexandraCrewe158431913628
3Doncaster RoversDoncaster168442218428
4Walsall1483327151227
5MK Dons168352719827
6Notts County167632315827
7Grimsby Town168171925-625
8Bradford CityBradford166552117423
9Gillingham157261612423
10AFC Wimbledon1371521111022
11Chesterfield165742920922
12BarrowBarrow166461715222
13Fleetwood TownFleetwood145632015521
14Salford City165651518-321
15Newport CountyNewport166281926-720
16Cheltenham TownCheltenham165382125-418
17Harrogate TownHarrogate165381422-818
18Accrington StanleyAccrington154562024-417
19Tranmere RoversTranmere144551017-717
20Bromley153751719-216
21Colchester UnitedColchester152851822-414
22Swindon TownSwindon162771825-713
23Carlisle UnitedCarlisle1633101429-1512
24Morecambe1624101427-1310


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!