Macclesfield Town moved closer to the brink this afternoon as their game with Crewe was called off over unpaid wages and a player strike.
A club statement read: “It is with great sadness that Macclesfield Town need to advise all supporters that this Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two game against Crewe Alexandra will not be played as scheduled.
“Despite the obvious disappointment which we all feel today, the players and staff all hope that we can rely on your incredible support going forward. As has been widely documented, we need this now more than ever and appreciate it more than you will ever know.”
The postponement follows a statement from the players released yesterday in which they outlined how they haven’t been paid and that their well being was being affected.
“As a group, we’d like to inform the EFL and Crewe Alexandra Football Club that the game on Saturday won’t be taking place despite growing reports that its business as usual,” they said.
“This is down to the tact that salaries haven’t been paid for last month, we haven’t trained as a squad since last Thursday due to the fact we have no training ground but most importantly, the game can’t go ahead for the emotional and mental wellbeing state of the players which is currently at rock bottom.”
Players first issued an ultimatum to chairman Amar Alkadhi earlier this week, telling him they would go on strike again if they were not paid the wages they are owed. This comes amidst reports the Silkmen owe former manager Sol Campbell £180,000, and he’s backing an HMRC winding-up petition in a bid to get his money.
The dangerous precedent for the postponement of a game over well being was set earlier in the season by Bolton Wanderers, who have received a suspended points deduction for their decision not to play Doncaster Rovers. These supporters can’t help but feel the end is drawing near.
https://twitter.com/JamesBrownEFC/status/1202964553597890560
https://twitter.com/gtmacc/status/1202975337723965440
https://twitter.com/ash_c88/status/1202972340604276736
https://twitter.com/WotsaWonder/status/1202982638778236928
I'm with your players and staff. Who would work when not been paid. Its disgraceful. Players have to do what's right for them.
— Pamela ❤️ (@xQueen_Piscesx) December 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/ash_c88/status/1202979544816406528
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Bury gone, Bolton were on the brink and now Macclesfield. This has been brewing all season but it’s now likely to explode and have far-reaching repercussions.
The EFL have said they have to maintain the integrity of the league, but Bolton’s mere slap on the wrists for a similar incident set a precedent.
Mental health and the well being of players is hugely important and taken very seriously in this day and age, but how far can it go?
Aside from the impact this decision and any punishment might have, there’s a big part of us that feels sorry for genuine Macclesfield supporters who have seen their struggling club held back by a chairman seemingly blinkered to the problems.
