FA misconduct charge for Spireites over financial irregularities

Rochdale vs Chesterfield - Jake Orrel has a shot blocked - Pic By James Williamson

The game’s governing body have confirmed the charge relates to payments made to two players by a now defunct football academy formerly linked to the club.

The charge comes almost two years after the FA were asked for comment on allegations surrounding the wages of ex Spireite players Jake Orrell and Myles Wright.

A statement read: “It is alleged that in allowing an external organisation, namely the CFC Football Development School Ltd, to pay the wages of former players Jake Orrell and Myles Wright whilst not fully recording the payments on its accounting records, the club breached FA Rule C1.

Chesterfield vs Sheffield United - Myles Wright takes the ball under pressure Pic By James Williamson

“Chesterfield have until 17th May 2018 to respond to the charge.”

The development school was owned by Chesterfield’s former CEO Chris Turner and an ex non-league footballer Liam Sutcliffe.

It ran into a number of financial problems that were documented in a series of articles by the Derbyshire Times.

Turner resigned as a director of the failing academy before it eventually went into liquidation owing almost £250,000.

In July last year Chesterfield FC company secretary Ashley Carson revealed that the EFL and FA were investigating payments made to Orrell and Wright.

The liquidators of the academy are still pursuing Chesterfield FC for a claim relating to a significant amount of money allegedly owed to the venture by the club.