EFL ask Reds for views on season
ACCRINGTON Stanley and their EFL counterparts have given their feedback to the governing body’s plans to finish the season – with clubs looking set to back plans for the season to be ended now.
Last week, the EFL put forward its proposals on how the campaign should be concluded if the action is curtailed.
It included a pointsper-game (PPG) system to decide the final table, a four-team play-off and relegation and automatic promotion remaining as normal.
Approval of that plan will be written into the EFL’s regulations for good, preventing any clubs from complaining or launching legal action in the future.
Stanley owner Andy Holt has revealed on social media that the club will be backing the plans for the season to be ended now.
Responding to a question on Twitter regarding why he was not taking part in the regular meetings regarding the fate of the League One season, Holt replied: “It’s a waste of time. Same story, different day. When the time comes, if ending the season now is on the list, we will be voting for it.”
If a division is curtailed, final placings will be decided on an unweighted points per game basis, while promotion and relegation will take place.
Should that be the case, Bolton, Southend and Tranmere Rovers would be relegated to League Two. Coventry and
Rotherham would be promoted to the Championship automatically, while Oxford United, Portsmouth, Fleetwood and Wycombe would make up the play-offs.
Such a decision is likely to be opposed by the likes of Sunderland, Ipswich and Peterborough United, who would see their promotion hopes dashed under a points-per-game system.
Now all 71 EFL clubs have given their feedback to the League.
The EFL board has reportedly considered the feedback at Wednesday’s meeting before drafting their final proposal – which will then be voted on by clubs in League One.
According to reports, confirmation of the outcome is expected by Monday.
However, a source close to the EFL has confirmed that the actual date of the outcome remains a working progress and at this moment in time no date has been set.
Stanley will vote on the proposed change to EFL regulation, and on whether or not to curtail the 2019-20 League One campaign.
A 51 per cent majority (12 clubs) is needed to confirm the outcome. Current forecasts predict that vote will be close, but marginally in favour of stopping the season altogether.
Oxford United have made it clear that they will stand with Peterborough United and Sunderland in voting to play on for the final nine games.
The so-called Rebel Six – Peterborough United, Sunderland, Portsmouth, Fleetwood Town, Oxford United and Ipswich Town – are all in favour of playing out the season.
Meanwhile, AFC Wimbledon, Rotherham United, Burton Albion and Shrewsbury Town all say they will vote in favour of ending the season now. It is still hoped that the Championship season can be finished, though there is some opposition to this.
Teams in the second tier were officially allowed to return to training on Monday following the first round of coronavirus tests.
On Sunday, the EFL confirmed that 1014 players and club staff from all 24 Championship clubs have been tested for Covid-19, with two individuals testing positive from one club.
Hull City later confirmed they are the club with two members of personnel with confirmed cases of coronavirus, who will now self-isolate.