Yet more concern for Morecambe after being given points deduction by the EFL

Yet more concern for Morecambe after being given points deduction by the EFL, meaning they fall further from the League Two playoff places.

The Independent Disciplinary Commission’s decision, which was made following an announcement in December, charged the club and its owner, Jason Whittingham, with failing to comply with the terms of an Agreed Decision.

Previously, the club had been given a three-point deduction, which was suspended until June 30, 2024, due to a breach of EFL regulations for not paying player wages around March 2023.

Whittingham was instructed to deposit an amount equal to 125% of the forecast monthly wage bill into a specific club account.

As a result of failing to maintain the account at the required levels, the suspended three-point deduction has now been enforced.

Whittingham has been fined £10,000, which must be paid immediately, and a suspended fine of £20,000 has been imposed, to be activated on May 31, 2024, unless he fully complies with the obligation to replenish the deposit account as per the Agreed Decision dated August 17, 2023.

During February’s fans’ forum, Morecambe CEO Ben Sadler expressed confidence that the club had presented a strong case against any points deduction or sanction.

Consequently, the club has dropped two places to 14th in League Two before their upcoming match against Stockport County on Saturday.

The club have said: “The Club’s Board express their significant disappointment at the outcome of the hearing.”

SEE MORE: Concerns grow with Morecambe placed under embargo by the EFL over unpaid tax bill

EFL Statement: Morecambe Football Club

➡️ https://t.co/8dK92HC9pR #EFL pic.twitter.com/udd2CE7BAt

— EFL Communications (@EFL_Comms) April 11, 2024

EFL STATEMENT

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.

Fans reacted to yet more concern for Morecambe after being given points deduction by the EFL…

@AbiGoulding13: Once again fining the club for the failings of a corrupt owner that you lot said was fine to take over in the first place.

@JosephGLodge: Hi @efl. Is it not concerning how many of these you need to put out?

@JakeEnglish_: How’s Jason only been fined £10k then, yet we lose 3 points. Not that the point deduction really matters at this stage, but £10k won’t be much of a punishment for him

@ScottCarter97: Can we get the club sorted now? Gone on far to long this shambles

@stephen_dimmock: Yet another example of an unfit owner at a football club in England

@harry_statter: But Jason is keeping us a float!!!! I’m so glad we aren’t in the play offs because that would have been unforgivable. Sell up you prat

@MFC_jordan: get that rat cunt out of our club, the EFL need to do so much more when it comes to the fit and proper test 🥱

@RobSmith1992: 🎶 Oh Jason you’re a cunt 🎶

@HarrisonRey88: Are we allowed to stop pussyfooting around with peaceful protests now or does it need to get a bit worse?

@andy_frobisher: “The Club’s Board express their significant disappointment at the outcome of the hearing”… Erm, we got what we deserved and were warned about. The sooner we find a new owner the better #JasonOut

@tarniaelsworth: #FootballHasAnOwnershipProblem

@jenhunt_: Lovely 3 point deduction thanks Jason 🤬

@joelshooter47: Another thing to hopefully turn up the heat on Jason to actually get this move sorted. Bonus that it’s come after playoff hopes have gone and before next season.

@Omakoma243: That’s it with the playoffs. For fucks sake

@VaniaMorozov15: Well, you’re trying to destroy the club, but you won’t destroy the people who love the club and continue to love it, Jason. These people will fight for the life of the club and you will lose. Sooner or later the sun will come out of the fog ❤️🦐 #JasonOut

@joephelan44: Quite glad we’ve started losing now imagine if we was in with a shout of the play offs 😂😂

@thescreenster: Jason Whittingham you total disgrace, get out of our club you fucking rat #JasonOut

@MorecambeFCFeed: There’s the Doncaster 3 points lost then.

@MorecambeFCFeed: Hate to say it, but the EFL Fit & Proper test has changed since Jason bought the club, and it isn’t retrospective. So it’s irrelevant to all of this. Not sure what more they can do with us right now to be honest.

🤡🤡🤡 https://t.co/RxDp1OpuBc pic.twitter.com/DJ6JxWmp6x

— Mickey (@mickeymfc) April 11, 2024