Oxford United chairman Dusan Bogdanovic issues an open letter after fans express concerns with the club under a temporary transfer embargo.
The embargo prevents the registration of new players until the issue is resolved, relating to League One’s Salary Cost Management Protocol (SCMP).
Under the rules, clubs must demonstrate at the start of the season they can fund their planned player expenditure and afford their playing budget.
Oxford haven’t been able to provide all of the required funding, and now fans have since called for more transparency, with it leaving more questions than answers, in the words of Jerome Sale in a piece for BBC Sport.
An open letter to supporters from the Chairman.
— Oxford United (@OUFCOfficial) July 15, 2026
CHAIRMAN’S OPEN LETTER:
First and foremost, I want to sincerely apologise for the uncertainty and concern that recent news regarding our registration embargo has caused. I am acutely aware of the trust that has been placed in the shareholders and the Board, and that developments of this nature can lead to the relationship we have with you being called into question.
It is important to me, and to everyone involved with Oxford United, that our supporters hear directly and clearly from us about our commitment to the Club’s future, something I know many of you feel has not been forthcoming recently.
To be absolutely clear, our shareholders remain fully committed to the Club and will continue to provide the funding and support that they have consistently given throughout their ownership. That commitment has not changed. They are invested, both financially and emotionally, in Oxford United’s long-term success, and recognise the responsibility that comes with being custodians of this great Club.
Over the last few seasons, we had to rapidly adjust to the realities of competing in a higher division and the increase in funding that required. Despite our best efforts, we were unable to retain our Championship status and are now working through the challenges that higher costs, reduced revenues and new financial rules present.
We are sometimes required to make difficult decisions in the short term. Those decisions are never taken lightly and, understandably, may not always be popular. However, our responsibility is to ensure we protect the long-term interests and sustainability of the Club. We will always act in a way that we believe safeguards Oxford United’s future and gives the Club the best possible platform for success.
With regards to progressing the stadium development, the current situation will have no impact on this whatsoever. Securing a new home for Oxford United remains integral to our plans and our vision for the future of the Club. The stadium will not only be the Club’s new home, but it is also the cornerstone of our long-term strategy and vital to ensuring Oxford United can thrive, grow and compete sustainably for many years ahead. The challenges we face today would not exist were we able to realise the revenues associated with owning a stadium.
There is every reason for optimism. We have an outstanding Head Coach, a strong and talented squad, an incredible supporter base that continues to back the Club, and shareholders who have demonstrated time and again their commitment to Oxford United.
Together, we have overcome challenges before, and we will do so again. The future of Oxford United is bright and our ambitions remain unchanged. This is a short-term issue that requires a pragmatic approach. By doing so, we can build back stronger. I hope we can move forward together, united behind the team, united behind our vision, and united in our belief that the best days for Oxford United are still ahead of us.
Yours,
Dusan
Kieran Maguire answers questions from Oxford fans on concerning situation club are in
Here’s how fans reacted Oxford United chairman Dusan Bogdanovic issues an open letter after fans express concerns…
@id6457: great but doesn’t really explain what and why we’re in this and the plan to get out and exist
@IsaacOUFC: That feels like a whole lot of not much tbh
@bartonw30: Finally some sort of reassurance. Time to crack on for the season ahead
@Junior02334: Lots of words. Not much substance. Still unacceptable to be in this position.
@oxfordtoafrica: Absolutely no detail at all, a holding statement, at best.
@Roo238766046479: Expect them to say anything else?? Not really much in it we don’t know tbh
@jack__b1: If the shareholders are committed then why has this embargo happened?
@SeeneyJoe: Slightly disappointing. Was hoping for a bit more detail as to how long they feel we may be under the embargo and how they expect to extradite us from that. Obviously they are not going to name players they are looking to move on
@gelfred12: You’ve let us down. Now crack on and fix this mess but from the statement it doesn’t look like you know how to.
@lloydoufc: If I’m wrong that basically says we had no choice
@lawill93: Still waiting for the part where they explain why this happened and what they plan to do to stop a repeat in the future
@OUFC98: It’s difficult to give a response to our current situation when the only thing fans would want to hear is that the embargo has been lifted. It’s good to have reassurance that the stadium won’t be affected by this, but it does feel a lot like them saying we just have to trust them
@Ryan_Johns_23: A lot of words to tell us nothing…
@CalcioOUFC: Good start for a general statement but no reasoning behind the thought process. No pro’s and cons, no assessment of their own decision making, no accountability/acknowledgment and clearly not a statement that will stabilise the stakeholders views towards the club & its projects
@oxfjackm: That’s a start, and somewhat reassuring. We need a sit down Q&A with Dusan, Tim and supporters now to fully repare the situation #oufc
@Oufc12345: Disappointing. Alot of words and no actual answers and accountability for how this has happened.
@kevgasandhtg: Decent response to a difficult situation, it’s easy for us supporters to sometimes only see one side of the problem, Thank You
@DeclanEdwards45: Feeling more positive after reading this. The truth is that at the current moment of time, Oxford is not a financially sustainable club. We were always going to run into issues like this, whether relegated or not. Securing that stadium green light would be the biggest win of all
@swissyellow: The statement will be viewed as good or bad based on future events. Ramsey staying is massive. Stadium construction more so. Until then, we kinda drift.
@I_Matrix92: Less talking and more action i think is all thats required now
@G_Lock75: It’s good to hear the ownership group remain fully committed and understand the importance of making the club sustainable and getting the stadium built. Disappointing though, that there’s no info as to why we’re in this mess and what’s happening to resolve the issue?
@tim_cowley: You take forever to say nothing #oufc
@Elliot_OUFC: “Future of Oxford United is bright” Hate to be pessimistic, but that’s a load of bollocks
#OUFC
@GeorgeHogg93: At last, Dusan has given us some clarity on what’s going on. I read the letter and it makes a bit more sense on what’s happening. In future, a more regular update would be nice #oufc 💛💙
@Conker_97: It’s better to hear something than nothing at all. The only line I’d want to dig more in to: “This is a short-term issue that requires a pragmatic approach”. I imagine code for ‘we’re going to have to sell some big value assets’. #oufc
@OUFC_Goose: I’m not sure that statement really says anything, other than “C’mon, trust us guys.” They’re committed to continue investing in the club going forward, but can’t right now, becaaaauuuse…?
