National League suspend Ebbsfleet United with first three fixtures postponed

The National League have suspended Ebbsfleet United, with the club’s opening three fixtures of the 2026-27 season postponed over concerns regarding their ability to meet their financial obligations.

The decision was taken after the National League’s Compliance and Licensing Committee met on Wednesday to consider concerns around the club’s “ongoing issues” regarding their financial position.

The Fleet, who have been under an embargo since July 30 after previously being found in breach of National League regulations, have until 5pm on Tuesday, August 18 to provide satisfactory evidence that they can meet their financial obligations before the Compliance and Licensing Committee reviews the case on August 19.

Until then, Ebbsfleet will now be unable to fulfil their opening National League South fixtures against Slough Town, Folkestone Invicta and Chelmsford City.

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Breach

In a statement, the National League said: “The National League’s Compliance and Licensing Committee convened on 5 August 2026, following recent correspondence and information relevant to the club, to further consider ongoing issues regarding Ebbsfleet United FC and its financial position.

“The club, which competes in the National League South, has previously been found in breach of National League regulations and is under embargo.

“One significant issue is settlement of PAYE liabilities dating back to April 2026, which led to HM Revenue & Customs reportedly issuing a winding-up petition against the club.

“The Committee considered ongoing non-compliance, in particular under Appendix H of the National League Financial Reporting Initiative.

“Appendix D Clause 4.3 of the National League Financial Reporting Initiative relates to a club’s ongoing obligations in relation to its financial position.

“The Committee determined that these obligations are not met to its satisfaction, specifically regarding the club’s ability to meet its financial obligations throughout the 2026/27 season.

“Following careful consideration, the Committee has taken the decision under applicable regulations to suspend Ebbsfleet United FC, with a review to be undertaken by the Committee on 19 August.

“As a result of suspension, at this time, the club will not be able to fulfil the opening three fixtures of the coming season.”

Extremely upsetting

Ebbsfleet confirmed they were informed of the decision on Thursday morning.

In a statement, the club said: “Obviously, for our playing group, management, staff and most importantly supporters, this has come as a shock and is extremely upsetting.

“The league wrote to club owners last week in response to the HMRC winding up petition and requested assurances around the debt and other liabilities and asked for a response by midday yesterday (August 5).

“We had been advised these debts would be satisfied in time and our statement of August 4 outlined that.

“The owners letter of response to the league yesterday proposed the HMRC debt would be cleared by the end of August once a full transfer of ownership had taken place and the league in their letter this morning have highlighted that inconsistency in undertakings by the ownership.”

Concerns

The club added: “The leagues letter today also identifies their concerns around the clubs budgeting for the coming season and debt position, although that information was presented on July 10 with the clubs budget pack to the league within compliant timelines.

“Vetting and financial checks for the new proposed ownership and takeover have taken place over the last 12 months and were approved by the league on May 1 in writing, however with the recent overturning of the Northfleet harbourside development, the league have also raised concerns around the clubs financial viability and debt that has been placed into the club and how it is treated.

“The league have provided the owners until 10am August 19 to rectify its position and demonstrate this to the league.

“Obviously our players, staff and supporters have taken a number of blows in the last week, none of which is within their control or a result of their work or actions, and we ask for understanding and care during this time while the ownership situation is solved.

“Everyone has worked so hard and completed an excellent pre-season and we look forward to this being rectified and demonstrating the results of that hard work throughout the season.”

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