Morecambe's future thrown into doubt after suspension from National League
Jason Whittingham, Morecambe's controversial owner, had been given until noon on Monday to outline how the club would meet their financial obligations for the 2025-26 season after talks with the National League last week.
However, shortly after the Monday deadline passed, it was announced that further sanctions had been taken against Morecambe at another meeting of the league's compliance and licensing committee.
In a statement, the National League said the committee had 'reconvened this afternoon to debate the ongoing concerns surrounding Morecambe Football Club and its compliance with National League rules', adding: 'It was decided further sanctions must be imposed, with the club's membership to be suspended with immediate effect.
'The club will also remain under embargo ahead of the new season. Morecambe Football Club will also be removed from the National League Cup for the forthcoming season.'
The committee will meet again on 20 August to consider whether Morecambe have satisfied its financial concerns and 'to decide the club's ability to retain membership in the competition'. That meeting is scheduled for after what would have been Morecambe's opening three games of the new season.
Whittingham's Bond Group Investments have been involved in a contentious takeover saga over the past two years that has led to the resignation of Morecambe's board of directors, seen wages paid late and prospective owners, Panjab Warriors, threaten legal action. Panjab Warriors received EFL clearance to complete a takeover last month only for Whittingham to announce that a new buyer had come forward.
Whittingham issued a long-awaited statement on the takeover on Sunday in which he claimed his company 'has continued to work with the consortium led by Jonny Cato in their efforts to acquire the majority shareholding' in Morecambe. He blamed negative media reports for giving the consortium 'cause for concern and pause' and claimed the Bond Group had been unable to contact Panjab Warriors over the past week.
Morecambe were relegated from the EFL last season after 18 years. Lizzi Collinge, the Labour MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, said recently there was a 'very real risk' that the club would soon cease to exist.
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