All football at steps 3-6 is curtailed

All non-league football below the National League has been curtailed for a second successive season, but the results have not yet been declared null and void.

More than three quarters of the teams in steps 3-6 of the non-league pyramid who were consulted with voted to end the season if matches could not be played with supporters before April 1.

Lockdown restrictions will start to be eased from the end of this month, providing an opportunity for clubs to get back to friendly action if they wish, however, supporters won’t be allowed back into grounds until the middle of May.

Last season’s results were declared null and void and a similar step is expected to be taken this season. Football at steps 3-6 did restart in September, with crowds initially able to attend matches, however, very few matches were played before further nationwide lockdowns resulted in league campaigns being halted.

Extending the leagues beyond May was deemed not to be viable as 81 per cent of matches were still to be played in steps three and four and 75 per cent of matches in steps five and six.

"Taking into account the survey results and the ongoing impact of Covid-19, which continues to adversely affect incomes for clubs due to restrictions on both spectators and hospitality, The FA's Alliance and Leagues Committees have reached a consensus that subject to the approval of FA Council, the 2020-21 league season for Steps 3-6 of the NLS should be curtailed with immediate effect, with no further league matches taking place this season," an FA statement read.

"It has also been decided that subject to FA Council's decision regarding the curtailment of the season at Steps 3 to 6, both committees will revisit discussions around a potential restructure at Steps 4-6 of the NLS, which was previously agreed and has been on hold since the 2019-20 season.”