OxVox publish statement on Oxford United transfer embargo

The U’s were reported to have been handed a temporary transfer embargo on Thursday, over two weeks after former Arsenal and Premier League icon Aaron Ramsey was appointed as the club’s new head coach.

Oxford had brought in one new signing before the news of an embargo broke, with former Heart of Midlothian centre back Frankie Kent arriving on a free transfer.

The problem relates to League One’s Salary Cost Management Protocol (SCMP) where clubs must demonstrate they can ‘fund their planned player expenditure and afford their playing budget’ before the start of the new season.

Cameron Brannagan celebrates with Stan Mills and Filip Krastev (Image: Mike Allen)

Paul Peros, chairman of OxVox, issued a statement on their website discussing the embargo, reading: “Having spoken to several sources both inside the club and outside we can confirm that the club will be placed under embargo by the EFL at some point later today or tomorrow.

“It is our understanding this is for a breach of the Salary Cost Management Protocol and that essentially the owners have failed to provide sufficient proof of funding for planned player budget for the forthcoming season.

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“It is our understanding that this embargo will be lifted as soon as the matter is resolved and that there is no fixed term.

“We have often praised the owners and board for their continued funding of our club in difficult circumstances but this news is worrying and unsettling at a time when the new manager needs to be focused solely on recruitment and pre season.

Aaron Ramsey has been appointed the new Oxford United manager (Image: Oxford United)

“We have pressed and continue to press the club to release a full statement explaining our situation and what the club and owners are doing to rectify it. OxVox remain determined to improve the communication from the club and this matter demands a quick and full response.

“We are continuing to work hard to bring more details forward and we have managed to pencil in a meeting with our new chairman Dusan Bogdanovic to discuss this and other matters. We will report back in full in the coming days on this meeting and on any other information that comes to light.

“We as supporters are the constant that holds this club together and we are pressing the club in the strongest terms to honour the trust placed in them and to protect our club at this vitally important time.”

Find the full OxVox statement on their website.

The U’s are set to head to Spain for a warm-weather training camp on Sunday with competitive action beginning on August 8 with a Carabao Cup clash at Leyton Orient.