Ebbsfleet United Settles Tax Debt Despite Extended Suspension from National League
Ebbsfleet United has announced the settlement of an outstanding tax debt even as their suspension from the National League continues to be extended. The club, based in Kent, had earlier faced suspension of its first three National League South matches due to ongoing financial issues.
On Wednesday afternoon, the National League communicated that a review by its compliance and licensing committee showed no significant progress in Ebbsfleet’s situation. The league’s statement emphasized that while the club had been afforded time to prove compliance with league rules, the situation could not persist unchanged. They noted that actions under the regulations could lead to expulsion from the National League.
In a statement released later that evening, Ebbsfleet United reported that they have fulfilled their payment obligations to HMRC and provided proof of the transaction to the league. They explained that the transfer of funds, which was initiated following a change in ownership, was received late on Wednesday, just after the league’s required deadline.
The club’s statement detailed, “Before the Tuesday 5pm deadline, we completed and submitted responses to the League Committee’s inquiries. Following their decision today, the League has requested additional information, which we will submit prior to the next deadline on Tuesday.”
The perpetuation of the suspension means that the team’s scheduled away match against Farnborough Town on August 29 and their home game against Horsham on August 31 will not take place. Ebbsfleet now has until 5:00 PM BST on September 1 to provide further details to the National League, which will conduct another review of the situation.
Ebbsfleet United say they have settled an outstanding tax debt despite having their suspension from the National League extended.
Earlier this month, the Kent club’s first three National League South games of the season were suspended because of ongoing financial problems.
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The National League announced in a statement on Wednesday afternoon that a review of the situation by its compliance and licensing committee had found no significant change.
“The club has been given time and opportunity to demonstrate compliance with the league’s rules and regulations, but matters cannot continue as has been the case,” the National League’s statement read.
“The range of actions under rules and regulations include the potential for expulsion from the National League.”
But on Wednesday evening, Ebbsfleet released a statement claiming they have now paid HMRC the full amount owed and have sent proof of the transaction to the league.
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“The transfer of those funds, that was originally initiated on completion of the change of ownership, arrived at the club late this afternoon (Wednesday), regrettably after the required deadline of yesterday and the League committee meeting this morning at 10am,” the club statement read.
“Prior to yesterday’s [Tuesday] 5pm deadline, we also completed and submitted a reply to the League Committee’s remaining questions. Today, the League – in communicating their decision – have requested some additional detail which we will complete and provide prior to next Tuesday’s deadline.”
The extension of the suspension means that neither the away match at Farnborough Town on 29 August nor the home game against Horsham two days later will go ahead.
Ebbsfleet have been given until 17:00 BST on 1 September to submit any further information to the National League, which will then carry out a further review.
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