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Topics: Football, EFL Championship, Non-League
Chris Byfield
Gateshead have been banned from taking part in the National League play-offs.
The club have failed to meet the entry criteria of the English Football League, having not secured a "10-year security of tenure" at the International Stadium by March 1, where they have played since 1971-72.
Gateshead finished sixth in the fifth tier and were set to play Solihull Moors. However, their play off encounter has been cancelled with Solihull getting a bye to the semi-finals where they face a trip to Barnet.
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The National League said Gateshead cannot be replaced in the play-offs, adding in a statement that it was "extremely disappointed" that the club would not be able to take part after supporting their application to extend the lease on the stadium, which is owned by Gateshead Council.
"Unfortunately, the response received was not supportive of the club's requirements and placed the club at risk of a refusal of membership to the EFL and therefore forfeiture of any right to participate in the play-offs," the statement said.
"On 28 March 2024, following the deadline for licence applications to the EFL had passed, the council offered options to the club. However, in the opinion of the EFL these options still did not satisfy their requirements."
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An appeal by Gateshead, which was supported by the National League, was rejected by an EFL arbitration panel.
The EFL statement continued: "As the EFL strongly believes in the principles of promotion and relegation it is therefore highly disappointing that appropriate solutions have not been put in place over the previous two-year period, as avoidable circumstances are preventing Gateshead from progressing up the pyramid even if the club achieves success through sporting merit.
"The League hopes that Gateshead and the relevant stakeholders can address this matter so that the club can meet the obligations of EFL membership and be eligible for promotion in future seasons."