Oxford United has been fined £3,500 and given a suspended one-year transfer fee ban by the EFL. This penalty was imposed due to the club accumulating 30 or more days of late payments between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. Initially, the club was facing a three-transfer window fee restriction, which would have limited their ability to sign players only from free agents during that time.
Club Secretary Vanessa Gomm explained that the issue arose from an isolated administrative error which led to late payments to another club. The club quickly rectified the situation by making full payment. However, according to EFL rules, this breach automatically resulted in a financial penalty of £3,500 and the three-transfer window fee restriction.
Oxford United appealed the sanction, arguing that it was disproportionate to the conduct in question. The independent Disciplinary Commission reviewed the appeal and agreed with the club, reducing the restriction to one transfer window suspended for two years. This means that the transfer fee ban will only be enforced if there is another breach of Regulation 52.6.3.
Des Buckingham’s team will be competing in the Championship next season after 25 years away from the second tier of English football. The successful appeal means that Oxford United can continue to operate normally in the transfer window and sign players as needed.