Rochdale fans fear the worse case scenario after the EFL took to issue a rather worrying statement on Wednesday afternoon.
The Greater Manchester outfit have been charged with alleged breaches of English Football League regulations and the charge follows an investigation into an attempted takeover of the club by Morton House MGT in July 2021.
They are currently 17th in the League Two table, having been relegated last season, and are just nine points from safety.
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EFL STATEMENT:
Following the conclusion of an investigation into the acquisition of shares in Rochdale AFC by Morton House, the EFL has charged the Club and a number of other individuals with alleged breaches of EFL Regulations.
The EFL has been considering whether the Club, any Official, any Relevant Person(s) and/or any other Persons involved complied with the requirements of the Regulations in respect of the acquisition of shares in the Club in July 2021.
Having comprehensively reviewed the relevant issues, the EFL has now determined there is sufficient evidence to justify issuing various charges of Misconduct.
The multiple matters will now be referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission and due to them being subject to ongoing proceedings, the EFL will not be making any further comment.
ROCHDALE STATEMENT:
Rochdale Association Football Club has today been charged with breaches of EFL regulations.
The club has fully co-operated with the EFL at every stage of their investigation and will continue to do so, having already provided the EFL with a considerable volume of their evidence.
The club will now consider its legal position with regards to the charges. No further comment will be made at this moment in time.
– STATEMENT ENDS –
It was alleged last summer that Morton House attempted a takeover of the club without English Football League approval.
In August, Morton House chose to sell its shares in Rochdale and formally withdraw from the league’s approval process.
At the time, the EFL said it would “continue to work with Rochdale AFC as we collectively seek to ensure a successful and sustainable long-term future for the club and all those associated with it, particularly its players, staff, and supporters”.
The following month, Rochdale said there had been no contact with Morton House, but promised to help the EFL with its investigation.
The league said on Wednesday: “The EFL has been considering whether the club, any official, any relevant person(s) and/or any other persons involved complied with the requirements of the regulations in respect of the acquisition of shares in the club in July 2021.
“Having comprehensively reviewed the relevant issues, the EFL has now determined there is sufficient evidence to justify issuing various charges of misconduct.”
As Rochdale fans fear worse case scenario after the EFL issue a worrying statement, there were fans of other clubs who made a comment…
@louisyoung0412: This is very worrying
@LeverGav: Possible points deduction starting next season or with immediate effect. Possible fine too. Thanks to the likes of bottomley
@ReeceDSport: This is a disgrace and should see them automatically relegated
@KAYSARARSARAR: What is going on
@rjb_1998: My unbiased view is this should equate to a 30 point deduction
@Mr_Rochdale18: Bottomley has blood on his hands once again…
@DaleNotForSale: Sadly, we expected this from @EFL. We must remember WHO put us in this position. ‘The Club’ is the fans, the community. Its NOT individuals who may have broken rules for their own agenda. The EFL cannot allow #RAFC to be a casualty in their pursuit of Morton House.
@djbowers14: Wow 😳
@bonjourkirsty: I feel sick 😩
@wroteforluck87: Praying for a points deduction 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 #oafc
@Travisedgee: If this fucks us up for this season or next there is blood on Bottomley’s hands
@jack_Adcock22: 15 point deduction as minimum. Get them down
@razza_699: Scenes when we stay up with the worst squad on record because Rochdale get a points deduction 😅 #oafc
@robertkilcoyne2: @FairGameUK Yet more evidence of the need for proper, thorough and above all, fully independent regulation of football.
@razza_699: Scenes when we stay up with the worst squad on record because Rochdale get a points deduction 😅 #oafc
@MikeRoyds1: The EFL should be offering protection not accusations.
@boropod_: This time it’s gonna be Rochdale losing points that saves Stevenage…
@jacko_dale: So let me get this straight… Vultures buy shares from a number of shareholders in private transactions…and the *club* is charged? Have I understood that correctly?
@andyc_128: Here we go ….. here’s this season’s Get Out of Jail Free card for Stevenage Borough
@RochdaleFan: The EFL once again showing their incompetence. Shock. #RAFC
@aaronwest87: GET THOSE POINTS DEDUCTED LADS! ATLEAST 20 WILL DO 😂
@CromTheOne: The @efl selling another Northern club down the river! #Shock
@greenwood_neil: Former employees still haunting the club.
@Andy__Derby: Feel your pain ….once again its fans who suffer
@mdbrierley: EFL at it again.
@bamford_michael: First stop for EFL needs to be Fylde to drag Bottomley out and be made accountable for his actions.
@SincePlayed: Genuine question, will this actually punish the people that did wrong, or will it punish the fans and current employees? Are the people responsible still around?
@brfcchris1995: Yet Everyone is bending over backwards to help another club due to its cultural importance 😡
@JoshGe0rge1989: What a joke!!!
@RamsFanatic1884: Do the #efl ever do anything positive for the game? Stop bullying non premier league clubs out of existence.
@GoddenSA2: Let’s hope common sense rules here and the club aren’t punished on the basis of some absolute wronguns, none of which I understand are still involved with the club.
@RochdaleAFCcom: Don’t have a lot to say about this beyond the obvious. I don’t know how certain people sleep at night. A fan for 50 years indeed.
@SincePlayed: #EFL are at it again, fans could be punished for the actions of others. Every fan needs to be watching how this goes and make a lot of noise if this goes badly, your club could be next, so support others trying to stop it now. #dcfcfans #rafc
@Alexron_19: What’s with these greater Manchester clubs and being run into the ground?
@CharxRafc: Will you actually be punishing the people who did this and are no longer at the club? Or the current employee’s and us fans? 🙄😭
— Kieronbabington (@kieronRAFC) March 16, 2022
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