Maidstone boss Hakan Hayrettin thinks the National League have got it badly wrong by creating a split in their three divisions.

While the top flight has been allowed to continue, amid a funding crisis, the North and South divisions are suspended for two weeks.

Hayrettin can’t get his head around that, given all three divisions hold elite status.

“If we’re stopping, the National League should have stopped, absolutely,” said Hayrettin.

“What’s the difference? They’re elite, we’re elite.

“We’re not all full-time in the North and South but the title is the same - elite.

“It would be like the Football League letting the Championship carry on and stopping League 1 and League 2.

“Why are they treating North and South differently?

“They’ve got in badly wrong in my humble opinion but they must have their reasons.”

Last week, clubs were presented with three options after the DCMS confirmed the next round of league funding would come in loans rather than grants.

However, the option that interested Maidstone, which would have seen the National League borrow the money and allocate grants, has since been taken off the table.

There’s uncertainty over whether the North and South divisions will return this season, with the government so far resisting calls for a U-turn on funding.

Hayrettin believes the controversial distribution of National Lottery money, to get clubs through the first three months of the season, has come back to haunt the league.

“If the money comes in grants there’s no reason not to continue,” said Hayrettin.

“Everyone’s suggesting it should be in grants and, if it isn’t, clubs are going to find it hard to continue.

“I think the initial mistake was made at the beginning with the allocation of the money and this is why we’re in the situation we’re in.

“It should have been done properly.

“What we’re seeing now, with the offer of government loans instead of grants, it could be a political decision because of the way the National Lottery money was allocated.

“The league allocated it wrong and now perhaps the government are saying, ‘Why are we going to give them money after what happened the first time?’

“I’m not saying I’m right but the board members are accountable for this.

“If they’d explained how it was going to be allocated, it’s different.

“I’m sure they did it with the best intentions but they’ve given everything to the National League.

“When I was asked, do you think we should be given elite status, I said yes.

“If you’re given that status it comes with certain luxuries, or bonuses, and one of those was the lottery money.

“But the allocation was done so badly, this is the reason why we’re in this mess.”

Maidstone should be assured of a game on February 6 even if the league suspension is extended.

They’re due in FA Trophy fifth-round action at Isthmian League side AFC Hornchurch, a competition the FA have no plans to halt.

They’ve been training this week as normal, with the Trophy tie in mind.

“I’ve spent a lot of hours getting our squad together this season and a lot of hours planning things,” said Hayrettin.

“When it’s stop-start like this it’s not good for your mental health and I have found it hard at times.

“If it goes to waste, I’ll just have to start again next season but I really hope we can get the season finished.

“We’ve still got the Trophy and that’s our next game. That will continue until we’re told otherwise, so that’s what we’re preparing for.

“We’ve tried to keep training lively and bubbly.

“We’ve got to keep them on their toes, and focused, and it’s my job to do that.”

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