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English Football League (EFL) has handed a two-year suspension and six-points deduction to Rochdale AFC for failure to comply with the league's regulations over an attempted takeover. The club were charged by the EFL in March following an investigation after Morton House MGT's attempted takeover. The charge was related to a breach of the Owners and Directors Test.
In addition, Andrew Curran, Darrell Rose, David Bottomley and Faical Safouane have been banned from operating as Relevant Person. All received a two-year sanction with the exception of Safouane, who has been handed an 18-month ban. All parties, who are also required to meet the Commission’s costs, pleaded guilty to the charges at a hearing in September 2022 and have 14 days to appeal.
In March 2022 following a comprehensive investigation, the EFL charged the Club and the above-named individuals with alleged breaches of EFL Regulations relating to the Owners and Directors Test, which require any Relevant Person(s) to comply with provisions relating to the purchase of shares.
“The updated Owners’ and Directors’ Test is a crucial element of the EFL’s regulatory responsibilities in the interests of all its member clubs, their supporters and everyone else involved or interested in football,” said EFL CEO Trevor Birch.
“The breaches, in this case, were serious as they deprived the EFL of the ability to carry out the necessary investigations into the identity of the proposed new owners, their proposed business plans, and the ultimate source and sufficiency of funding necessary to support those plans."
“These sanctions serve as an appropriate reminder to Clubs, their officials and potential owners that disregarding those requirements can lead to significant consequences as this case has proved”, he added further.
