English Football League clubs could be docked points if they fail to pay players on time under new regulations.
EFL sides must now "self-report" a failure to pay players' wages within two working days of the scheduled date of payment.
Clubs falling foul of the rules are unable to register players until wages are paid but could now also be punished by "multiple points deductions".
The change was approved at Thursday's EFL extraordinary general meeting.
Also at the EGM, clubs agreed to open the EFL summer domestic transfer window in line with the international transfer window.
That means the window will open 12 weeks before the closure of the registration window instead of the day after the end of the season.
Comments
"About time" "progress?"
Erm, no. EFL come up with something that sounds a bit like action but they know full well is just so much effete lip-service gutless insincere bullshit.
Why?
The flagrant rule breaking club owners will rip off all sorts of legitimate creditors and renege on whomever they choose, almost without consequence. The players are the very last creditor they're going to fleece, obviously. Even the Sheff Weds & Derby scumbag cheating owners remember that football is a results business and that schtupping the players has to be the last resort, cos they're the only ones who can prop up the club while they're desperately trying to flog it off to some other crook/clown/dreamer/white knight. Short changing the players ain't going to help is it? By the time EFL pretend to get around to imposing a sanction millions will have been defrauded from all comers. EFL cynically looking the wrong way while malfeasance goes on, unrestrained.
Points deduction? Yet more vomit inducing pissing about by the risible cash sponging halfwits at EFL.
Does it mean that the summer window only opens 12 weeks before it shuts, ie approx 3 months ? If so, and assuming a 31st August closure, this means you can only start signing players on 1st June (give or take).
EFL Statement: Morecambe Football Club
Morecambe FC has received a three-point deduction to be suspended until 30 June 2024 after admitting a breach of EFL Regulations for failing to pay its player wages on or around 28 March 2023.
The Club’s ultimate beneficial owner will also be required to deposit an amount equal to 125% of the forecast monthly wage bill - for all staff across the football club - in a designated Club account, which may be called upon by the Club should there be any future delays in processing wage payments.
The suspended sanction will take effect if the payment is not made by the owners of the Club to the Club Deposit Account as per the terms of with the Agreed Decision or there is any failure to pay its players on time until 30 June 2024.
The sanction was imposed in accordance with the terms of an ‘Agreed Decision’ which has formally been ratified by an Independent Disciplinary Commission Chair as per the requirements of EFL Regulations.
Morecambe FC will also pay the associated costs of ratification of the Agreed Decision.
https://www.efl.com/news/2023/august/21/efl-statement--morecambe-football-club/
EFL Statement: Morecambe Football Club
Morecambe Football Club and owner Mr Jason Whittingham have been charged under EFL Regulations for failing to adhere to the terms of an Agreed Decision, which required a financial deposit equating to 125% of the Club’s monthly turnover to be placed in a separate club account to facilitate the ongoing payment of Club wages.
In August, funds were deposited in line with the agreement for a previous failure to pay the Club’s wage bill, however on September 4, those funds were used and Whittingham failed to re-deposit the amount, despite requests from the League.
Mr Whittingham’s failure to re-deposit the funds has led to personal charges, while the Club has also been charged for failing to meet deposit account requirements.
The charges will now be considered by an independent Disciplinary Commission with the outcome to be communicated by the EFL once a decision is reached.
The terms of the original Agreed Decision can be viewed here.
https://www.efl.com/news/2023/december/18/efl-statement--morecambe-football-club/
EFL Statement: Morecambe Football Club
An independent Disciplinary Commission (IDC) has determined that Morecambe Football Club are to be deducted three points from the 2023/24 League Two table for failing to adhere to the terms of an Agreed Decision.
The Club had previously received a three-point deduction, to be suspended until 30 June 2024, after admitting a breach of EFL Regulations for failing to pay its player wages on or around 28 March 2023. The Club’s ultimate beneficial owner was also required to deposit an amount equal to 125% of the forecast monthly wage bill in a designated Club account.
Following the failure to keep the account at the required levels, the suspended three-point deduction has now been activated.
Owner Mr Jason Whittingham has also been fined £10,000, payable immediately, whilst a suspended fine of £20,000 has also been imposed, to be activated on 31 May 2024, unless he complies in full with his obligation to replenish the Deposit Account under the terms of the Agreed Decision dated 17 August 2023.
The IDC’s Decision and written reasons are available to view on EFL.com.
https://www.efl.com/news/2024/april/11/efl-statement--morecambe-football-club/