Morecambe and owner Jason Whittingham charged by EFL over deposit failure

Morecambe are currently eighth in League Two, a point outside the play-off places

Morecambe and the club's owner Jason Whittingham have been charged by the EFL for failing to adhere to an agreed decision imposed in August after the club failed to pay players on time.

The club had been given a suspended three-point deduction over the matter.

Whittingham had been told to deposit an amount equal to 125% of their monthly wage bill to cover any future delays.

The EFL stated that the following month the deposited funds had been used without being re-deposited, however.

"Mr Whittingham's failure to re-deposit the funds has led to personal charges, while the club has also been charged for failing to meet deposit account requirements," the EFL said.

"The charges will now be considered by an independent disciplinary commission with the outcome to be communicated by the EFL once a decision is reached."

In response, a club statement said that Bond Group, which owns the Lancashire club, had instructed "specialist sport lawyers to defend the club's and owner's position" at the commission hearing.

"The board remains focused on the priority of ensuring that Morecambe Football Club meets all its obligations, which means working with Bond Group to prevent cashflow issues and doing everything within its powers to expedite the process of finding new ownership as quickly as possible," the statement added.

The charge comes after the club's board of directors said earlier in December that the club could be at "serious risk" with the Shrimps having been up for sale for 15 months.

The board added they have "no confidence" in the club's owners in overseeing a sale of the League Two side.