Oxford united FC
Oxford United watch on as PFA submit challenge to EFL rules
Oxford United fell victim to changes made by the EFL to SCMP last month and were handed a temporary transfer embargo for failing to comply with the regulations which were amended in May.
The embargo was confirmed just under three weeks after Aaron Ramsey’s arrival as Oxford United head coach, replacing Matt Bloomfield.
Under the adjusted rules, the proportion of revenue that League One clubs are permitted to use for player salaries has been lowered to 50 per cent from a previous 60 per cent.
In addition, clubs are restricted to spending a maximum of 50 per cent of owner “equity injection2 on squad wages.
In the framework, managers’ pay has been included for the first time.
The claim put forward by the PFA is that the rules adjustments were made without the correct consultation across the Professional Football Negotiating and Consultative Committee (PFNCC).
This organisation includes the EFL, Premier League, FA and PFA.
In response to the PFA’s appeal, the EFL issues a statement saying: “The EFL is concerned and disappointed at the position adopted by the PFA, following its decision to issue legal proceedings in respect of the approved changes to the League One SCMP.
“The changes simply amend an existing framework designed to support responsible cost control and improve financial sustainability across League One.
“The proposed changes have been discussed at length through the PFNCC process, including with the PFA, and the EFL has taken those discussions into account.
“The League does not accept that the PFA’s position is correct.”
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The challenge brought forward by the PFA brings questions towards Oxford’s current embargo; is it justified and should it continue whilst the rules that the U’s have not complied with are being challenged?
Speaking to The Dub, BBC Radio Oxford’s podcast, former PFA chair and Yellows defender Ben Purkiss offered his thoughts: “The effect of it, to the extent that the PFA are successful, will obviously come to Oxford United’s aid and to any other football clubs that are having issues with these regulations.
“The interesting thing here is timing and the impact of this because clearly there has been a significant impact on players already.
“From Oxford United’s point of view, we are probably the club who has been impacted most significantly given the transfer embargo that we are under.
“I very much doubt that the plane will be resolved by the [end of] the transfer window.
“But it will be really interesting to see how this evolves over the next couple of months at arbitration.
“If I were Oxford United, I would be strongly communicating with the EFL, essentially saying that these rules should not apply while this claim is ongoing. And what are you going to do about this for us if these rules are considered to be unenforceable?”
Referee Thomas Parsons dished out two red cards as Oxford drew 1-1 with Mansfield Town on Thursday night.
Parsons handed second yellow cards to Peter Kioso and Gatlin O’Donkor, Mansfield’s equaliser through Michael Smith coming after the former’s dismissal.
The Stags goal and the duo of red cards all came within nine minutes, the U’s holding firm to see out a point with nine men.
It came after United had taken the lead in the first half through a sweet strike from Aston Villa loanee Luka Lynch.
Speaking after the match, U’s head coach Ramsey aired his thoughts: “My immediate feeling is I’m super proud of the players, the way they finished that game.
“We went down to eight men for a minute (after a knock for Brodie Spencer) which seemed forever.
“But for us to dig in and to show that togetherness, staying connected as a team, defending the box, bodies on the line, I couldn’t have asked for any more.
“I was super, super proud of them tonight.”
Kioso’s sending off caused outrage among Oxford affiliates, the referee judging the right back to have dived as he went down under contact in Mansfield’s penalty area.
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Ramsey continued: “I disagree with the decision.
“For me, there’s certainly contact in the area there.
“And, I mean, for the ref then to go ahead and to book him as well, in my opinion, there’s no way PK has dived there.
“So, of course, a big moment in the game where I thought it should have been a penalty.”
For the second red card, O’Donkor received a soft first yellow before making a clumsy challenge to leave the referee with no choice but to show another.
“The first one, I believe it wasn’t a yellow card. And then the second one, it is what it is.”
The hosts’ eventual goal came from a Jamie Cumming mistake, the goalkeeper unable to deal with a cross which was then bundled into the net by Smith.
Despite the error, Ramsey had no ill feelings: “No frustration at all.
“Things happen on the football pitch, but it’s the way that we respond to these things.
“And, like I said, everybody was digging in for each other.
“A couple of players sent off, but I didn’t see that affecting us to accept the defeat, if you like.
“I saw a team that were fighting right until the end to come away with it with something.”
Two league away fixtures in a row have resulted in four points from six, with the U’s now five unbeaten in League One ahead of three consecutive home clashes, starting with Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night.
Aaron Ramsey’s Yellows took the lead in the first half thanks to a peach from Aston Villa loanee Luka Lynch, before a chaotic second half saw Oxford concede an equaliser and reduced to nine men.
Defender Peter Kioso and striker Gatlin O’Donkor both received second yellow cards, meaning United had to weather a late storm to hold onto a point at the One Call Stadium.
Here is how we rated the U’s on Thursday night…
Jamie Cumming – 4.5
Three total saves but a couple of sketchy moments with his feet.
Fumbled the ball for the equaliser, not strong enough coming for the cross.
Disappointing on his return to the team and needs to get some form and rhythm back.
Peter Kioso – 5
Kioso was a bit clumsy in some of his actions, picking up a booking and winning fewer than half of his duels.
Began the second period better, but was dismissed with 15 minutes left after the referee judged him to have dived, receiving a second yellow.
Michal Helik – 6
A couple of slip-ups with his feet but was in the right place to deal with crosses for most of the evening.
11 clearances to his name with backs against the wall late on.
Ciaron Brown – 7
Instinctive to find himself in the right areas at the right times as the Stags got forward.
Immense with 15 total clearances, won all six of his duels and put in a good sliding challenge after a dangerous Mansfield cross.
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Brodie Spencer – 5
Needed help as left one versus one – sometimes versus two – a lot in the first half and dribbled past twice.
Won four of his five tackles.
Cameron Brannagan – 5
A big error almost led to a goal which was out of character but passing was decent overall with one key pass to his name.
Kai Andrews – 5.5
Got forward a bit more in the second half before having to defend again after the red cards.
Louie Sibley (O’Donkor 59′) – 5
Taken off at the hour mark after a tough outing against a persistent Mansfield.
Luka Lynch (Missanga 59′) – 7.5
A beauty of a strike for his first professional goal and was easily United’s biggest threat.
Was dangerous both cutting inside and getting to the by-line, beating his man and winning three fouls.
That is three assists and one goal in his first five Yellows appearances. Not bad.
Mark Harris (Currie 77′)- 5
Isolated up top.
He is not a hold-up striker so struggled to get involved, with the midfield not there to help him out on many occasions.
His only effort all game was an early glancing header wide.
Siriki Dembele (Long 80′) – 6
A quiet one for his standards this season but grabbed an assist, performed some important carries and won three fouls.
Substitutes:
Mo Missanga (59′) – 6
Gatlin O’Donkor (59′) – 4
Unlucky with the first booking but a silly challenge for his second whilst already on a yellow.
Jack Currie (77′) – N/A
Sam Long (80′) – N/A
Oxford United travel to face Mansfield Town in League One as they look to extend their unbeaten streak to five games.
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