OLDHAM Athletic have confirmed they have had warnings from the EFL over the late payment of wages but have denied they are the subject of a transfer embargo.

Some players did not receive their salaries on time in January, February and March, that coming prior to a dispute with certain members of the squad regarding the use of furlough.

Seven players remain in dispute with the club hierarchy, headed by owner Abdallah Lemsagam, over how the Government’s Job Retention Scheme has been used at Boundary Park having consulted with the Professional Footballers’ Association.

There were already issues with wages being paid on time however prior to Latics trying to navigate the club through the Covid-19 crisis.

In a response to a question posed by Trust Oldham, the club said: “The club has since (the first three months of the year) put in place enhanced financial planning processes within its cashflow management to improve this situation.

“This is especially important due to the sustainability rules which will penalise clubs for late salary payments, and the club recognises that it cannot afford to infringe these tighter rules in future.”

There had also been some rumours that the club were the subject of a transfer embargo, a notion rejected by the club.

“The club has not had any communication from the EFL placing the club in a transfer embargo, although it did receive warnings as a consequence of the late payment of wages in January, February and March,” the response read.

“The club has been careful not pay wages late subsequently.”

The statements came as Lemsagam gave an interview to the Australian media about the appointment of Harry Kewell as manager.

A legend in his home country, the former Leeds and Liverpool man is the sixth permanent manager appointed by the Dubai-based former football agent since he took charge in January 2018.

According to the report, Lemsagam was involved in the deal that took Kewell from Melbourne Victory to Al-Gharafa in Qatar in 2012, with Latics themselves closing in on the signing of an A-League player from Down Under. Despite the club's off-the-field issues, the owner did not shy away from placing some lofty goals at Kewell’s door.

“The ambition this season is get promotion, whether that’s automatically or through the playoffs,” Lemsagam told The World Game.

“We are committed for the long term and I have a vision for the club to progress back to the Championship. That’s the target we’re aiming for.”

He added: “I have a lot of connections around the world. I know the owners of big clubs and I’m sure we can do business at some point.

“If we get to the Championship first then you can talk about bringing in players from clubs like Lyon, Manchester United and Manchester City, even on loans.

“This is what we’re building for, to be in a position to get these types of players and to win promotions.”