UK Football

Gretna will play Aberdeen despite doubts over debt

17:43 GMT, Fri 14 Mar 2008
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Gretna soccer player Andy Smith (C) stands with his team mates at their Raydale Park stadium in Gretna, Scotland, March 13, 2008.  Debt-ridden Scottish Premier League (SPL) club Gretna face closure if they fail to raise 30,000 pounds ($60,410) by Thursday, but salvation may come with financial assistance from the league itself.

LONDON, March 14 (Reuters) - Scottish Premier League (SPL) team Gretna said on Friday they would play their next match which had been doubt after they went into administration because of debt.

Gretna, who are about four million pounds ($8.1 million) in debt according to British media, said in a statement they would be able to send a full squad to Aberdeen on Saturday.

Gretna's players would be playing without their wages, however.

"The situation remains unchanged in that players and staff have still not been paid this week," a club spokesman said.

Arrangements were also being made for the Celtic fixture at Fir Park on March 23, Gretna said in the statement.

Gretna's administrator David Elliot, who said on Wednesday the club needed to raise 30,000 pounds ($61,000) in a day in order to stay in business, had warned Saturday's game might not go ahead because of a lack of players.

The SPL said missing the game could result in sanctions against Gretna, possibly a fine.

Gretna directors passed a resolution at a board meeting last Friday to place the club into administration.

The club have only six points after 28 games and are bottom of the standings after they were automatically docked 10 points by the SPL on Wednesday for going into administration.

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