EFL suspends Bury’s season opener against MK Dons over funding issues

Bury’s opening League One match against MK Dons on Saturday has been suspended, the EFL has announced.

“Following continued and comprehensive discussions with the ownership at Bury and other interested parties throughout Monday, the EFL Board is not satisfied it has received the necessary evidence in regard to the outstanding information it requires that demonstrates how the Club will be funded moving forwards.

“As a result of not meeting Monday’s 5pm deadline, which had been extended on two previous occasions, the EFL Board feels it has been placed in an unenviable position and, regrettably, has opted to take the reluctant decision to suspend Saturday’s opening day fixture with MK Dons under the provision of EFL Regulation 28.2.

“In addition, the EFL Board, if not in possession of the necessary evidence by 12pm on Friday 2 August 2019, will make a determination as to whether to suspend Bury’s away fixture at Accrington Stanley on Saturday 10 August 2019.”

The EFL has been pressuring the club’s owner, Steve Dale, to provide evidence that he has the money to pay its substantial debts and ensure it is able to field a team.

Earlier this month the EFL said Bury will start the season with a 12-point deduction after entering a company voluntary arrangement.

The club, promoted last season, had a winding-up petition over unpaid debts adjourned at the high court in June and appeared to have secured their future with the CVA.

The EFL insists it is continuing to support Bury but the club bought by Dale in December have to come up with the required paperwork.

“As has been the case throughout this entire process, the EFL will continue to offer its full assistance to the ownership at Bury but remains clear that, while the league is here to support the club through some extremely complex and complicated issues, the outstanding matters can be resolved only with the cooperation from the club itself,” said the EFL statement.

Bolton, who are awaiting completion of a takeover by the Football Ventures consortium, have escaped the ignominy of having their first fixture scrubbed.

source: theguardian.com