Ebbsfleet United placed under transfer embargo by the National League as wait for takeover to be approved continues

Ebbsfleet United have been placed under a transfer embargo by the National League.

The Fleet announced at the end of August that they had agreed a deal for new owners to take charge at Stonebridge Road.

However, the National League are still yet to approve the takeover and this delay has meant neither the outgoing owner nor the potential owner have made the latest payment due to HMRC.

The club announced two months ago that terms had been agreed between KEH Sports and a consortium of new private investors for the majority acquisition of Ebbsfleet United FC.

The new ownership group is led by Dublin-based businessman John O’Leary as the largest shareholder and head of the consortium which comprises a number of investors. The largest two of these are based in Ireland and India.

Writing in his programme notes at the weekend, Ebbsfleet chief executive Damian Irvine said: “Updates on the proposed transfer of ownership remain a frustrating item on the agenda.

“Last month the current and proposed new directors advised the league that due to the excessive delays by the league in ratifying the takeover, the club’s HMRC liabilities for the last month would be settled on completion of the transaction.

“Rather than accept this explanation for the long delay, the league this week placed the club in a transfer embargo until HMRC dues are settled.

“The approach by the league is extremely disappointing and counter-productive; however, it will be addressed and the embargo lifted imminently.”

The National League website states that the embargo was effective from Monday, October 20. It prevents the club from “signing a new player or changing the terms of an existing loan, except where the terms of the embargo allow”.

However, National League