Braintree Town transfer embargo lifted

Braintree Town's transfer embargo has been lifted. The National League South club were handed the transfer ban in May, following their relegation to the sixth tier, because of financial problems. Braintree recently received a significant fee from their former player Kyrell Lisbie's transfer from Peterborough to Millwall because of a sell-on clause. In a club statement posted on X, Braintree wrote: "The club can confirm that it will be receiving its sell-on payments for the transfer of a former player in instalments and that these payments will assist the club with its cash flow through to 2028. "The first payment has been received and this, together with the support from others, has allowed the club to settle the embargo applied by the National League back in May." However, in the same statement, Braintree confirmed that they were yet to receive a similar payment believed to relate to former player Tommy Smith, who played for the club during their relegation campaign last season. In June, it was reported the club were set to be given a "thank you" payment of £175,000 from Fifa for allowing defender Smith to represent New Zealand at the World Cup. They stated: "Sadly, hopes of a further additional windfall from the Fifa World Cup Club Benefits Programme have been delayed. "Despite assurances that payments would be made immediately after the World Cup was completed, we understand that Fifa have made the arbitrary decision to defer payments via our Football Association to the end of the year." Braintree will commence the new season with a home match against Tonbridge Angels on Saturday [15:00 BST]. Smith embracing 'special' New Zealand environment