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Bolton-Brentford match will not be played this week, EFL confirms

Nottingham Forest expect their match with Bolton on Sunday to go ahead

A general view of Bolton Wanderers' Macron Stadium in 2018
Image: Bolton were due to play Brentford at the University of Bolton Stadium last Saturday

Bolton's postponed Championship fixture against Brentford will not be played this week, the EFL has confirmed.

The match was originally scheduled for Saturday, April 27, but was called off after Bolton's players went on strike over unpaid wages.

Sky Sports News understands Bolton were planning to play the game on Wednesday, but the EFL now say this will not happen and they will decide what steps to take at a meeting on Thursday.

EFL regulations allow league matches to be played up to four days after the end of the season - Sunday, May 5 - and state that clubs must make stadiums and players available in such instances.

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Bassini told Sky Sports last week he believes in the team and outlined his future plans

The EFL also say they will report Bolton's failure to arrange to play Brentford at the earliest opportunity to the independent disciplinary commission, to which the club have already been referred following the original postponement.

Bolton play Nottingham Forest on Sunday in what was supposed to be their final game of the normal Championship season and Forest expect that game to go ahead as planned.

The Reds are in constant contact with Bolton and the EFL regarding the fixture at the City Ground and have been given no indication the game won't take place.

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Former Watford owner Laurence Bassini says he is meeting EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey on Tuesday to prove he has the required funds to complete his planned takeover of Bolton.

The 49-year-old says he transferred money to pay the players' wages on Friday, but cannot complete the process until his purchase of the club is confirmed.

Bassini has accused current Bolton owner Ken Anderson of delaying his takeover. This season under Anderson's ownership, Bolton's players and staff have received their wages late on several occasions.

Ken Anderson
Image: Ken Anderson had given Bassini a deadline of Monday, April 29 to complete his takeover, but that has now been extended

Bassini's and Anderson's advisors released a statement on Tuesday saying: "All parties are working for the best outcome for the football club and its supporters and everyone's efforts are focused on a successful conclusion.

"Following the arrangement for Mr Bassini to meet with Shaun Harvey this evening, it has been agreed that the previous deadline for conclusion set as the close of business Monday has been extended to allow these discussions to take place.

"All parties have agreed that in the event of the EFL not being satisfied with the proposed funding structure presented by Mr Bassini then negotiations will cease with immediate effect and Mr Bassini will withdraw his interest in the club.

"No further statement will be made by either party prior to the mutual deadline set for conclusion of the matter."

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