FA warned by non-league clubs they could face legal action in letter after they decided to void the season amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis
- The FA have been warned by non-league clubs that they could face legal action
- The warning came in a letter sent on Monday signed by the chairmen of 66 clubs
- The FA expunged the season for clubs below National League North and South
- Letter accuses the FA of having made the decision with ‘inexplicable haste’
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The Football Association have been warned they may face legal action from non-league clubs unless they reconsider their decision to void the season.
The warning comes in a letter sent to the FA on Monday and co-signed by chairman of 66 clubs from steps three to seven of the non-league pyramid.
They were left stunned on Thursday when the FA declared this season null and void, scrapped promotion and relegation for all clubs playing below the National League North and South and in the women’s game below the top tier.
The FA have been warned in a letter by non-league clubs that they could face legal action
Signatories include those from clubs with plenty to play for but also others without in a show of support.
Meanwhile other outfits are due to make individual representations to express their disappointment.
The decision, wiping out months of hard work, has sparked a furious response from semi-professional clubs outlined in the letter which states ‘simply put, there is no valid basis to expunge an entire season, especially at this stage.’
They accused the FA of making the decision with ‘inexplicable haste’ and ‘without substantive dialogue or consultation with affected clubs.’
They also claimed, contrary to the FA statement that a consensus was reached by both parties, that ‘no such consensus was ever reached amongst the NLS steps three to six. Some leagues were barely consulted.’
Instead, the letter states: ‘The consensus that we have reached is to take a similar stance to what the Premier League aims to do – wait several weeks to see how the public health situation unfolds before deciding next steps.
The warning came in a letter signed by the chairmen of 66 clubs after results were expunged
‘It is imperative to solve this issue sensibly and democratically over the coming weeks with transparent, constructive and fair dialogue with respective leagues and clubs.
‘The alternative which would certainly not reflect well on the FA, is forcing clubs to embark on potential legal recourse, which is wholly unnecessary and financially burdening to clubs.
‘We urge the FA to reconsider its decision and to slow down the whole process, offering proper consultation with afflicted leagues and clubs as the picture becomes clearer, before deciding a way forward.’
The cases of a number of highlight their bemusement at what is felt is a premature call by the governing body.
Jersey Bulls and Vauxhall Motors have already mathematically secured promotion but face being denied the chance to go up from step six level to step five.
Step three Halesowen Town (Southern League Division One Central) facing step two Concord Rangers (National League South) in the FA Trophy semi-final was also highlighted as an example of the inconsistency caused by decision as the latter’s league season is continuing along with the cup competition.
The decision to expunge the season has to be ratified by the FA Council before it can come into force.