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Macclesfield Town relegated from League Two to National League after six-point deduction

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Getty Images

Macclesfield Town have been relegated from League Two after being given a six-point deduction, the English Football League has announced.

The Silkmen were handed a two-point penalty and a £20,000 fine in June by an independent disciplinary commission after the club were charged with misconduct related to the payment of player wages in March 2020.

The EFL appealed the ruling, opening up the possibility of a further points deduction that would relegate Macclesfield and see Stevenage stay up in their place.

On Tuesday, an Arbitration Panel confirmed the two-point deduction will stand and in addition, Macclesfield will be deducted a further four points.

Because the season was concluded early, this changes their points-per-game (PPG) total to 23.62, meaning they finish in 24th and will be relegated to the National League.

An EFL statement read: "An independent Arbitration Panel has upheld the EFL's appeal in respect of the outcome of an independent Disciplinary Commission who in June 2020 had considered misconduct charges brought against Macclesfield Town.

"The charges related to failing to pay a number of players on the applicable payment dates due in March 2020, failing to act with utmost good faith in respect of matters with the EFL and for breaching an order, requirement, direction or instruction of the League.

"The Arbitration Panel confirmed that the two-point suspended sporting sanction activated on 19 June 2020 from previous proceedings will stand and in addition the four point deduction, originally suspended in the latest proceedings and only to be activated in the event of a further breach of Regulation 63.7 during season 2020/21, will be activated immediately and applied to the 2019/20 table.

"Today's outcome leaves Macclesfield Town in 24th position in the table on 19 points with a points per game (PPG) total of 23.62, resulting in the Club's relegation into the National League. The Arbitration panel's decision is final and binding. The EFL will be making no further comment."