The crisis at Bury FC has deepened further tonight after their opening game of the season was dramatically called off by the football league.
The debt-ridden club were given until 5pm today (Monday) to provide vital financial information to the EFL.
However, despite "comprehensive discussions" with the club's ownership they said tonight they were still "not satisfied we have received the necessary evidence in regard to the outstanding information we require that demonstrates how the Club will be funded moving forwards. "
As a result the club's opening game of the League One season, against MK Dons at Gigg Lane on Saturday, has now been called off.
The EFL said they had been "placed in an unenviable position" and had "regrettably" taken the decision to suspend the match under regulation 28.2.
They added: "In addition, the EFL Board, if not in possession of the necessary evidence by 12pm on Friday 2 August 2019, will make a determination as to whether to suspend Bury’s away fixture at Accrington Stanley on Saturday August 10, 2019.
"As has been the case throughout this entire process, the EFL will continue to offer its full assistance to the ownership at Bury, but remains clear that while the League is here to support the Club through some extremely complex and complicated issues, the outstanding matters can only be resolved with the cooperation from the Club itself."
The club will be referred to a disciplinary commission and now face further punishment over the suspension of the match, the M.E.N understands.
The club has not yet commented on the development.
Bury, who earned promotion to League One last season, are already starting the season with a 12 point deduction for breaking league financial rules after the club agreed a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) last month to pay off its creditors.
After several appearances at the Insolvency and Companies Court in London over a winding-up petition relating to an unpaid tax bill the debt-clearing 'rescue plan' was agreed last month which prevented them going into administration.
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Owner Steve Dale declared afterwards that the 'old girl is safe.'
However the EFL say they require further information about the future funding of the club before their place in the league is secured.
Mr Dale, who took over from former owner Stewart Dale in December last year, has been trying to sell the club since April.
Manager Ryan Lowe, who guided them to promotion, and a host of players have left the club in the close season as uncertainty hangs over them.
Bolton Wanderers were also given until 5pm today to provide information to the league but their game against Wycombe, their first back in League One after relegation from the Championship, will go ahead it was confirmed.
