THE English Football League has moved to reassure Oldham Athletic fans that they would do everything possible to save the club in the event of administration.

With Latics second bottom of the Football League and under a transfer embargo that has restricted them to free agents and loans this season, as per the conditions of a loan agreement with the EFL, supporters have expressed concern about the future of the 126-year-old club.

Some fear they could be the next Bury, who were expelled from the EFL in August 2019 for financial mismanagement.

Under owner Abdallah Lemsagam's stewardship, Latics have previously been late paying players' wages, while in October this year they were placed under an even stricter transfer embargo for a breach of league rules regarding missed transfer or compensation payments, after which the club rejected what is believed to be an unprecedented offer of assistance from the EFL.

The catalogue of events, which also includes recent unrest between the club and supporters following a decision to ban three supporters that has since been rescinded, prompted supporters' group Push The Boundary to reach out to the EFL for clarification on how the organisation is monitoring proceedings at Boundary Park, and founder members were offered a meeting with senior representatives at the EFL.

PTB explained that before the meeting it was agreed that some matters could not be discussed due to confidentiality but that dialogue would be ongoing.

In response to their questions, the EFL released the following statement:

"Further to the meeting between the EFL and Oldham Athletic supporters' group Push The Boundary (PTB) earlier in December, the EFL agreed to respond to any additional questions regarding matters linked to Oldham Athletic, and this document therefore seeks to provide some additional clarity to those queries raised.

"The EFL would also like to reiterated its belief that the meeting with PTB was cordial and productive, and broadly speaking the EFL supports open and transparent discourse with supporters' groups on any relevant issues of interest, based on the understanding that it is unable to comment on matters of confidentiality, and this same approach applies in respect of all its member clubs.

"Therefore, while we reiterate that we are not able to engage on some areas, this broad response seeks to provide additional clarity for PTB in respect of their questions raised around ongoing operational matter, and compliance with EFL rules.

"During the meeting PTB raised a number of queries regarding the financial sustainability of the club and while predominantly the day-to-day running of member clubs is a matter for owners themselves, the EFL confirmed it will remain in contact with Oldham Athletic as required, in order to provide relevant guidance and assistance."

There were issues raised about the loan agreement with Latics which were bound by confidentiality, but on the prospect of insolvency, the statement continued: "In the event that any club suffers an insolvency event, the EFL will work with a club and its administrators to help facilitate an efficient exit from administration in accordance with EFL Regulations and EFL Insolvency Policy. In accordance with the EFL's rules a sale cannot be made within the first 28 days of insolvency, and the appointed administrator must also agree to meet any recognised supporters' trust with a view to offering the opportunity to consider bidding for the club."