Southend United have been deducted ten points with immediate effect.
It comes after the National League club were today given an adjournment by a judge until October 4 over an unpaid tax bill.
The Shrimpers are now bottom of the table on minus four points.
In a statement the National League said: “Following the statement issued on 26 July 2023 concerning Southend United, the National League can now provide a further update.
“The League made the club aware on 26 July 2023 that all outstanding debt to HMRC should be discharged in full by their court hearing on 23 August 2023.
“The League are now aware of the court hearing adjournment and that outstanding debt to HMRC has not been discharged in full.
“As a result, Southend United Football Club have been deducted 10 points with immediate effect.
The League will make no further comment at this time.”
Meanwhile, Southend’s statement on the news read: “Today the Court granted the Club a further 42 days to settle its debt to HMRC and those supporting the winding up petition, those payments will be facilitated by the sale of the Club.
“Negotiations are at an advanced stage with a consortium led by an Australian national, and comprising of a group of local businessmen. Completion is targeted before 1 October.
“Until the sale of the Club completes, everyone involved with the Club, supporters, staff and stakeholders will of course be anxious about its future. We also know that people are concerned about the prospect of a points deduction for apparent non compliance with the conditional licence we have been granted to play in the National league’s competition.
“We believe that the correct sanction for non payment of HMRC is an embargo, not a points deduction. We are talking to the National League on this point. If agreement cannot be reached we will immediately pursue an appeal.
“We would like to thank our staff and supporters for sticking with us as we move towards a new era. We would also like to thank Kev, the coaching team and the players for their incredible efforts so far this season.”
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