National League clubs fined for failing to fulfil fixtures after funding expired

A total of 17 clubs have been handed punishments ranging from £40,000 to £1,400.

Alfreton Town have not commented as to whether they are among the sides facing fines.

However, despite a number of planned fixtures not going ahead, the Reds did not publicly refuse to play a contest.

Home matches against Boston United, York City and Gloucester City did not go ahead due to waterlogged and frozen pitches.

Spennymoor Town opted not to host their scheduled home match against the Reds and Blyth Spartans made the decision not to play their home game against Town.

Worst his are Dover Athletic, who have been fined £40,000 and given a 12-point deduction, which comes into play next season.

The National League side said they could not afford to complete their campaign - which continued following a vote by member clubs - without funding to supplement the revenue lost by not having fans in the ground.

In step two, 16 National League North and clubs were found guilty of breaching rule 8.39 for failing to meet fixture obligations.

Before the campaign was declared null and void, clubs had stated they too were unable to fulfil fixtures without their usual matchday revenue streams.

A National League statement read: "Given the extremely unusual circumstances that have affected football at all levels and the financial pressures the absence of spectators has brought to bear on clubs, the panel (an independent panel commissioned by the National League) expressed its sympathy with the clubs’ predicament.

"However, the panel believes it must also take regard of the fact that the majority of clubs continued to fulfil fixtures and incur much costs until the League ended on February 19.

"Per breach, each club received a £2,000 fine and suspended two-point deduction for the 2021-22 playing season. A 30 per cent reduction was made to the fine for those accepting the charge ahead of the hearing."