The Football Association is investigating Notts County as the crisis at Meadow Lane escalates, Nottinghamshire Live can reveal.
We understand the FA is in possession of detailed correspondence which highlights issues over County's finances, and was provided by somebody connected to the club.
The FA has a wide range of powers at its disposal to carry out investigations, which include the unannounced visit of forensic accountants to audit the club’s books.
The club's financial position has become such a concern, it has now reached the highest levels of power at the game’s governing body.
A spokesman for the FA confirmed: "The FA is aware of this matter and looking into it – however at this stage there’s nothing more we can add."
The news of the FA’s involvement comes after chairman Alan Hardy told fans he is confident of selling the club before the club is back in the High Court on July 10 over an unpaid tax bill.
He also revealed that talks with a group which included convicted fraudster Alex May have now ceased which was greeted with relief by the fans.
Hardy said he "deeply regrets" not being in a position to pay staff salaries after the went unpaid on Friday, but hoped that he would be in a position to rectify the situation with the prospective new owners.
The Football League has confirmed, however, that the club’s academy players were paid on Monday as part of the EFL’s usual funding programme.
Academy payments continue for a period even if a club is relegated out of the EFL.
Senior players are considering approaching the Professional Footballers’ Association for help in the meantime, and the union is closely monitoring the situation.
Hardy's update on a takeover came hours after Lilian Greenwood MP said she had received a clarification from Hardy that there were actually “three parties jostling for position” in a bid to buy the National League side.
A South African consortium is still rumoured to be interested, but progress has reportedly stalled due to the ill health of frontman Terry Pritchard.
It is unclear who the third group are, but it could be a Danish consortium who were shown around the club over a week ago.
Two of their group belong to the betting advice firm Football Radar, but it remains to be seen whether they will follow up their interest with a firm offer.
