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Ebbsfleet United deny allegations surrounding pay disputes

Ebbsfleet United's players have issued a statement accusing club owner Dr Abdulla Al-Humaidi of avoiding meetings with them over ongoing pay disputes.

It says the players have not received their April wages, and have been "refused a face to face meeting" by the owner.

The players also claim to have been shown documents relating to money transfers, but that the amounts never arrived.

Ebbsfleet players say they have still not received last month's wages
Ebbsfleet players say they have still not received last month's wages

The statement adds: "This meeting between the players and the owner was promised in front of the invited audience in the meeting requested by the Ebbsfleet United Trust members on Friday April 5.

"The response from the owner, when asked in his meeting with Garry Hill and Dave Archer on Friday 3rd May, was 'I do not want to have a meeting' after making the owner aware of the pressing concerns of the players and financial predicaments this places them in he continued 'No I will not be having a meeting'."

They say players have been given no suitable explanation or information over the delayed payments.

Ebbsfleet's former vice-chairman Peter Varney is also among other former employees in dispute with the club owners over non-payment.

A statement, issued on behalf of Mr Varney, said that Dean Pooley and the club’s former management team were also owed money from contractual agreements made by the owner, and those affected would be initiating legal proceedings.

Dave Archer, managing director of the club, said it was regrettable that "dirty laundry is being aired in public" and that "disquiet has encouraged people to stray into fantasy."

He added: "We categorically refute the allegations being put.

Ebbsfleet owner Dr Abdulla Al- Humaidi
Ebbsfleet owner Dr Abdulla Al- Humaidi

"Any contracted player that wishes to move on can, until the end of May 2019, request a transfer to allow preparations for the new season.

"We would like to thank those for whom their career at Ebbsfleet has come to a natural end with the end of the season."

A separate statement from Ebbsfleet United Football Club said international finance was "complicated and often confusing" adding: "we are paying salaries from overseas which can encounter a host of complex requirements which delay funds – we are working hard to improve this.

"Any suggestion of attempts to deliberately mislead may result in legal action.

"With regard Peter Varney’s statement, we can advise that the majority of payments to management have been made and loose ends are being tied up.

"With specific regard to Peter, following a series of unmet objectives, we are in legal dispute regarding sums due.”

It's the fourth time the Fleet squad has issued a collective statement this season following late wage payments.

The players have also contacted the National League asking for immediate assistance.

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