SALISBURY CITY are to be kicked out of the Football Conference, the club have announced in a statement.
The Whites were given a deadline on 5pm last night to pay outstanding wages to staff as well as a bond to the league to ensure they could continue into next season.
The deadline passed without any action but the club now say they have been told by the Conference that they will be expelled, much like Hereford were earlier this week.
The club also say, however, that they will fight the decision after taking legal advice. There are still question marks over Moroccan businessman Otail Touzar who along with fan Mark Winter recently bought the club.
Salisbury have branded Touzar a ‘fraudster' and a club statement read: “Salisbury City FC are facing expulsion from the Conference on Tuesday after the leagues board decided to relegate them today, despite meeting certain financial demands placed on them.
“On Friday £75,000 was transferred into the club solicitors client account to meet unpaid debts. The Conference board have also been given assurances that in the next seven days, the funds to meet all outstanding club debts will be paid.
“However, because of a legal issue in relationship to ownership of the club, the Conference board have decided to throw Salisbury City FC out of the league on Tuesday. It staggers belief that this is a Conference board who were quite happy, along with the FA, to endorse the appointment of Otail Touzar but following forensic investigation by the club to expose him as a fraudster, are now using him as an excuse to throw Salisbury City FC out of the league.
“Following legal advice, Salisbury City FC will now consider taking an injunction out on the Conference or taking the case to an FA independent appeal board.
“It is disappointing that the Conference have failed to give the club a 7 day extension to clear up their financial irregularities and as a result of their imminent action it leaves Salisbury City FC with no choice but to take legal steps to safeguard their future.”
If Salisbury are demoted, Dartford would be set for a reprieve back into the Conference Premier with Tonbridge Angels getting their spot back in Conference South.
