Oxford United are unable to register new players this summer after falling foul of the EFL’s salary cost management protocol (SCMP) regulations, placing new head coach Aaron Ramsey in a difficult position just weeks into the job.
The League One club, who were relegated last season, say their priority this window is to retain their existing squad rather than bring in fresh faces. In a statement, Oxford described their current group as an “extremely competitive squad already in place” and said the focus would be on keeping those players to give Ramsey and his staff “the strongest group possible” heading into the new campaign. The club added that shareholder investment and cost-reduction measures mean they expect to be compliant ahead of the January transfer window.
SCMPs are the financial fair play rules governing League One and League Two clubs, placing limits on the proportion of a club’s turnover and funding that can be spent on player-related costs. Oxford cited rule changes following their relegation as a factor in their current non-compliance, stating they have been working to align their financial position with League One reporting requirements.
Ramsey was appointed just over a fortnight ago, three days after the club parted company with former head coach Matt Bloomfield. Oxford begin their season with a Carabao Cup tie at Leyton Orient on 8 August before a home league opener against MK Dons seven days later.
The club’s supporters’ trust, OxVox, called the news “unsettling” but said their understanding was that the embargo carried no fixed term and would be lifted once the matter is resolved. In a statement, OxVox urged the club “to honour the trust placed in them and to protect our club at this vitally important time.”
Image credit: BBC Sport / BBC Sport
