The English Football League (EFL) confirm in a statement on Thursday (27 June) that they have hit Oxford United with a sanction.
The U’s, who have returned to the second tier for the first time in 25 years, has confirmed that they has been issued with a suspended one-transfer window fee restriction.
Along with that, they’ve also been fined £3,500 for accumulating 30 days or more of late payments between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024.
Oxford failed to fulfill their financial obligations towards Jay Matete’s wages during his loan spell from Sunderland. At first, the league had imposed a three-window embargo on United for their failure to pay transfer fees, in accordance with their regulations.
The punishment was handed out after Oxford neglected to pay the wages owed to Sunderland for Matete’s time at the club in February of this year.
Matete signed for Oxford on loan on the final day of the transfer window but had to end his season prematurely due to a knee injury that required surgery.
Sunderland were owed £63,680.34 for the duration of Matete’s loan spell, and this amount wasn’tsettled until the club’s CEO was informed of the issue in July.
However, the matter was promptly resolved, and an appeal commission ultimately decided to downgrade the severity of the punishment.
Although if something like this happens again within the next two years, the transfer fee embargo will be enforced.
Oxford United Club Statement.
— Oxford United FC (P) (@OUFCOfficial) June 27, 2024
EFL Statement: Oxford United
➡️ https://t.co/PckzWc9rzT#EFL pic.twitter.com/829AI1opmK
— EFL Communications (@EFL_Comms) June 27, 2024
OXFORD STATEMENT:
Oxford United can confirm the club has been issued with a suspended one-transfer window fee restriction and a £3,500 fine as a result of the Club accumulating 30 days or more of late payments in the 12-month period from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.
Oxford United Club Secretary, Vanessa Gomm, said: “Due to an isolated administrative error, the club were reported to the EFL for late payments to another club. The issue was dealt with swiftly, with payment made in full. However, as per EFL rules, the breach triggered an automatic financial penalty of £3,500 alongside the automatic imposition of a three-transfer window fee restriction.
“An appeal was lodged on the basis that the sanction was disproportionate to the conduct in question, with the matter referred to an independent Disciplinary Commission. On review, the Commission agreed with the club’s position and subsequently reduced the three-window restriction to one window, suspended for two years, which will only be triggered upon a further breach of Regulation 52.6.3.
“We have already taken steps to improve internal processes and would like to reassure supporters that this decision will have no impact on our recruitment plans or the club. We have already brought in experienced, quality Championship players and will continue to build a competitive squad for the season ahead.
“Oxford United would like to thank the EFL and the Commission for their cooperation in this matter.”
EFL STATEMENT:
In June 2024, the EFL issued Oxford United with a financial penalty of £3,500 alongside a three-transfer window fee restriction as a result of the Club accumulating 30 days or more of late payments in the 12-month period 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.
As permitted by EFL Regulations, the Club opted to appeal the imposition of the three-transfer window fee restriction on the basis that the sanction was disproportionate to the offence committed by the Club. The matter was referred to an independent Disciplinary Commission.
On review of the case, the Commission has determined that the three-transfer window fee restriction should be reduced to one window, suspended for two years, which will be triggered upon a further breach of Regulation 52.6.3. The Club is still required to pay the £3,500 fine.
This is how fans reacted as the EFL confirm in a statement that they have hit Oxford United with a sanction…
@swissyellow: So the rumours were true. Time for a very settling series of regular communications from the owners and whoever is running the club to start today.
@Keithharris76: I can’t imagine that all parties were not under a news embargo until such time as the appeal process had been completed so public communication on the matter was highly unlikely to have been permissible. It should act as yet another clear lesson in how info vacuums get filled tho
@JWYOUFC: Hope the person who made the “administrative error” is no longer with us.
@ItsNathan92: Come on folks! Seriously whoever let the “administrate error” happen, needs a good talking too!
@DBoufc: They’ve been sacked already
@oufc_adam: After this and Murphy, really need something positive….
@PeteLinzey: Time to get rid of that bleddy fax machine! 😂
@Rosie_may16: Well piss, at least not for 2 years, as long as we don’t do it again 😬
@Callum_OUFC: From what I can gather looks like we’re rather fortunate here. Transfer window ban if we break the rule again but for now we’re fine as usual. Hope the club learns its lesson
@lloydhathaway1: Well someone fucked up here
@HarryCallaghan_: Someones been very stupid here
@bookiemonster81: Heard a rumour about this yesterday morning. Dismissed it at the time as being far fetched. But there we are. Never a dull moment supporting #oufc
@NathanielOUFC: Oh for fuck sake
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