National League charge Dulwich Hamlet for not playing recent fixtures – with club labelling approach as “bullying”
The National League have charged Dulwich Hamlet for not playing two of their recent fixtures – with the South London club claiming their approach is “bullying”.
The National League South outfit have spelled out they are unable to play their matches until adequate funding is in place.
Hamlet say pushing ahead with the campaign would put the 128-year-old club’s future at risk. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic no supporters are allowed to attend matches.
Dulwich had started their season when a grant scheme was in place up until the end of 2020.
But now the suggestion is that clubs will have to take out loans to cover their financial losses for the back end of the campaign.
Dulwich have been charged with two breaches after not playing at Braintree Town last Saturday and in midweek at St Albans City.
Slough Town and Bath City have also gone public with the fact they have been charged.
“So after laying out the farcical situation we find ourselves in, the league at least offer clarity,” tweeted Hamlet on their official account. “We will be charged for not playing. The bullying continues.”
The National League issued a statement. It said: “Many things have been written regarding charges recently raised in connection for non-fulfilment of fixtures under league rules.
“It may be helpful to explain that this process is merely a mechanism for the league to deal with each of the occasions for non-fulfilment. No fines or sanctions have been raised or recommended and this will be considered at the next stage.
“An independent panel will be appointed to hear each case and it will be at this stage the issue of “just cause” as outlined in the rule will be objectively assessed in each case based on the evidence before them.
“In the interest of fairness of all parties, the cases will not be heard until such time as the outcome of the resolutions are known.
“It is important that the framework in place is followed in a consistent manner in all cases and clubs are able to make their representations appropriately and fairly.
“The league will not make any comment during the process on individual cases in fairness to all clubs but will issue the outcomes and reasons for the decisions following their conclusions.
“Should clubs remain unsatisfied with the outcome they will also all have the opportunity to appeal the decision directly to The Football Association which will be heard by a further independent panel in line with the FA rules and regulations.”
Dulwich – again via their Twitter account – said: “While the statement from @TheVanaramaNL is of course welcome, it really should have been sent out BEFORE the charges.
“Surely the right thing to have done was forgo formality and not send dozens of clubs threats.”
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