EFL Statements

THE EFL has released the following statements regarding Macclesfield Town and Sheffield Wednesday.

Macclesfield Town Statement

MACCLESFIELD Town has been charged with misconduct under EFL Regulation 63.7 for non-payment of wages and referred to a Disciplinary Commission for failing to pay its players on the applicable payment due dates.

The EFL recognises the impact the non-payment of wages has on the health and wellbeing of those involved and has been engaged in discussions with Macclesfield Town and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) to try and find an appropriate solution.

The Club was given until 4pm yesterday to provide a response to the EFL’s request for information in this respect. As a result of the information provided, the EFL has notified the Club of multiple charges related to failing to adhere to the terms of the contracts that are in operation.

The Disciplinary Commission has the power to impose a full range of sanctions as set out in Regulation 92 if the Club is found to be in breach.

As a result of the Club fulfilling its obligations in respect of playing their Leasing.com Trophy fixture, the EFL has released an immediate payment of £30,000 secured through participation in this season’s competition to assist in the payment of wages to players and staff.

Sheffield Wednesday Statement

FOLLOWING a formal investigation into financial information provided by Sheffield Wednesday in relation to the Club’s 2017/18 Profitability and Sustainability (P&S) submission, the EFL has issued a number of charges relating to alleged breaches of EFL Rules.

Earlier this year the EFL launched an investigation into the Club’s financial submission for the period ending July 2018 under the relevant P&S Rules following the completion of the sale of Hillsborough Stadium.

The EFL has reviewed a large number of documents obtained from the Club as part of this process and concluded there is sufficient evidence to justify issuing charges of Misconduct. The charges are in respect of a number of allegations regarding the process of how and when the stadium was sold and the inclusion of the profits in the 2017/18 accounts.

All charges will be considered by an independent Disciplinary Commission and, if the charges are proven, the Commission can impose any of the sanctions set out in EFL Regulation 92.2. The EFL Board has previously agreed and communicated with all Championship Clubs a set of sanctioning guidelines, but the Commission, under EFL Regulations, has the ability to invoke a full range of sanctions should the breach be confirmed.

The EFL continues to review the Club’s 2018/19 P&S submissions. As these matters are now subject to proceedings, the EFL will be making no further comment at this time.