Bolton Wanderers’ Championship match against Brentford on Saturday has been suspended by the English Football League (EFL). This comes following a statement issued by the Wanders players that they would not fulfil their remaining fixtures until they receive their unpaid wages.
English Football League Suspend Bolton Wanderers’ Fixture Against Brentford
Wanderers Players Unite
Not for the first time this season, Bolton Wanderers’ players issued a joint statement on the current matters at the club, which has seen them still not yet receive their March wages. Chairman Ken Anderson has finally agreed a deal to sell his majority stake in the club to former Watford chairman Laurence Bassini, who vowed to resolve the payment issues as soon as possible, however, he cannot begin his control of the club until ratified by the EFL. This is yet to take place.
As such, the playing staff at the club released a statement earlier today (Friday) confirming their intent to boycott the remaining fixtures should their payment issue not be resolved.
The statement said: “The long-running financial crisis at our club has been well documented. As has the fact that we, the playing staff have yet to receive our March salaries. Five of our coaching staff are also yet to be paid for March.
“We have endeavoured to continue our training and playing commitments during this extremely difficult time, with seemingly no resolution in sight.
“We thought that the prospective takeover of the club would provide a solution, but difficulties in its completion has left us no further forward.
“This situation is creating mounting mental, emotional and financial burdens for people through no fault of their own. The mental pressure has affected some people to the extent that they feel they are unable to perform their jobs sufficiently.”
It continued: “With deep regret, we have decided not to fulfil our remaining fixtures unless we are paid.
“We understand that this will disappoint our fans and for this, we sincerely apologise.
“We realise this may be seen as drastic action but we feel we have no other options left.”
EFL Suspend Fixture
In a statement, the EFL said: “Following the failure of Bolton Wanderers to provide formal confirmation of its ability to meet its obligation to fulfil its Championship fixture against Brentford FC on Saturday (27 April), the game will not go ahead as planned.
“Earlier on Friday, the playing staff at the Club issued a collective statement confirming that they had decided not to fulfil the remaining fixtures of the season unless they received monies owed to them.
“As a result of these disappointing developments, the League has been forced to suspend Saturday’s fixture and under EFL Regulations, the Club is now deemed to be guilty of misconduct and will be referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission.
“The EFL Board will now consider the matter of determining whether the fixture will be played or not.
“No further comment will be made at this time.”
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