Oxford United transfer chief explains EFL embargo and contract dilemma

The Yellows were hit with a temporary registration embargo by the EFL in July after failing to comply with Squad Cost Management Protocol (SCMP) regulations, meaning the club were not able register any players signed involving a fee.

SCMP sets limits on the proportion of a club’s turnover and owner funding that can be spent on player-related costs, with the club working to align their financial position with the League One requirements.

Oxford managed to recruit two new players after being hit with the embargo with both not involving any extra cost to the club and requiring special dispensation from the EFL.

Head coach, Aaron Ramsey, was able to add Premier League names in Coventry City midfielder Kai Andrews and Aston Villa winger Luka Lynch in on loan in the final few days of the summer transfer window.

Speaking to BBC Radio Oxford’s podcast ‘The Dub’, Waldron offered further explanation on the club’s current situation, saying: “The ownership group have invested heavily over the last four years to elevate the club.

“There’s been investment across the entire club.

Oxford United midfielder Kai Andrews on loan from Coventry City (Image: Oxford United)

“In January, the club made the decision to invest further to try and boost our chances of surviving in the Championship.

“We fell short of that, but I really believe we signed a lot of good players that will help us now and in the future.

“Relegation coupled with a few changes within the regulations have kind of left us where we are.

“It’s taken a lot of time to understand what’s what was possible within those regulations, and it is unknown territory for everybody.

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“We were told, as fans were told, that this would take time, but…we’d be working towards being mobile in the market come January, and that hasn’t changed.

“Money has been coming in as expected, which works towards the SCMP issue and the intentions from the owners and the board.”

The U’s have seen the breakthrough of academy products, particularly 18-year-old Mo Missanga and striker Gatlin O’Donkor.

With excitement surrounding these names, there is naturally a clamour to secure new contracts, however the current embargo provides an obstacle

Oxford United right back Peter Kioso (Image: Oxford United)

“Unfortunately not, no” Waldron confirmed when asked if United can offer new contracts whilst under embargo.

“[When] we’re out of the registration embargo and compliant with SCMP, then we can look at retention of players.

“With Mo, as it is with a number of academy players, we’re in a really strong position contractually.

“The club’s protected and, right now, we can’t do what we’d like to do, but that doesn’t mean that we’re going to lose these players in January for a pittance.

“We’ll work towards that when we come out of the embargo.”