League Two news: Macclesfield Town relegated as Stevenage stay up
Macclesfield Town have been relegated from League Two after the Football League won an appeal against a points deduction.
During the 2019-20 season, Macclesfield were docked two points, with four suspended, for breaches of regulations relating to non-payment of wages.
However, after the appeal, the suspended four-point sanction will be applied immediately, dropping the Silkmen to the foot of the League Two table.
The Football League said an independent panel’s decision was “final and binding”.
The decision means a reprieve for Stevenage, who move above Macclesfield and will retain their League Two status.
Football League statement:
An independent arbitration panel has upheld the EFL’s appeal in respect of the outcome of an independent disciplinary commission who in June 2020 had considered misconduct charges brought against Macclesfield Town.
The charges related to failing to pay a number of players on the applicable payment dates due in March 2020, failing to act with utmost good faith in respect of matters with the EFL and for breaching an order, requirement, direction or instruction of the league.
The arbitration panel confirmed that the two-point suspended sporting sanction activated on 19 June 2020 from previous proceedings will stand and in addition the four-point deduction, originally suspended in the latest proceedings and only to be activated in the event of a further breach of regulation 63.7 during season 2020-21, will be activated immediately and applied to the 2019-20 table.
Today’s outcome leaves Macclesfield Town in 24th position in the table on 19 points with a points per game (PPG) total of 23.62, resulting in the club’s relegation into the National League.