Costs too high to fulfil fixtures

ROCHDALE were expecting to hear confirmation that the League One season is over following a meeting between all clubs in the bottom two leagues on Friday.

The majority of clubs in Leagues One and Two have accepted the 2019/20 season is over and scrapping the rest of the season was discussed at a meeting of the EFL Board on Wednesday this week.

Championship clubs met with the EFL on Thursday when plans for concluding the season were outlined. They hope to gain government clearance for a 25 May return to regular training with a targeted restart of 6 June already discussed. A more likely date is 13 June, in line with the Premier League.

There were fears that, should the Championship not reach a conclusion, the clubs involved in the promotion and relegation fights could end up involved in a legal battle, appealing against the kind of points-per-game system expected to decide Leagues One and Two.

The bottom two divisions are resigned to the season not being played out due to the lack of finances available to them and the costs involved in staging football at a time when health and safety is paramount.

It is estimated Premier League clubs have agreed to spend a combined £4m on Covid-19 testing alone for their players in order to get the season restarted.

That would be a tall order for the lower leagues to fund at the best of times, but with no income since mid-March and the prospect of games played behind closed doors costing, rather than earning, them money, it appears beyond them.

Most clubs have players on furlough right now and the majority of contracts run out at the end of June – EFL chairman Rick Parry said 1,400 players across the league’s three divisions were out of contract on 30 June. If the season is brought to an end now, many clubs would avoid having to pay bonuses and appearance money.

If the EFL decide to follow the National League example, it will ask clubs in League One and Two to

The Premier League is reputed to be spending in the region of £4m on Covid-19 testing for players – money the lower leagues cannot afford update on Wednesday practicalities and timeframes which said talks with of Clubs being able clubs were ongoing and to facilitate a return to no decisions had yet been training. To address this, finalised. Clubs have today been

The statement read: issued with the latest draft “The EFL Board has met of the EFL’s ‘Return to today to further consider Training Protocols’, so that the many complex financial they can prepare appropriately. and operational matters resulting out of the “However, until all outstanding COVID-19 crisis, including matters are concluded, how the 2019/20 campaign including finalising is concluded. a comprehensive

“While there is much testing programme on debate and discussion matchdays and nonmatchdays, taking place publicly and the EFL Board privately regarding what has informed its Clubs should, or could, happen that a return to training next, the EFL will continue should not take place until to undertake consultation 25 May at the earliest. with our members “Dialogue continues before the next steps with our colleagues across are determined. the footballing and political

“Current attention is landscape regarding clearly on the immediate these and other issues, next steps, but the longterm and the EFL is committed impact on the to keeping all relevant League and its Clubs parties updated on key remains as stark as previously decisions and developments outlined, and solutions as they occur.” are still required to Whatever method is fill the financial hole left employed to decide the by the crisis. fate of clubs in the bottom

“The consequences of two divisions, Dale can at the COVID-19 pandemic least console themselves will not be rectified simply with the prospect of by a return to play behind another season of League closed doors. One football next season

“In addition, the EFL is – though how much of it mindful of the pressing the supporters get to need for clarity in a number watch from the terraces of areas, including the remains to be seen. Published by MEN Media, Mitchell Henry House, Hollinwood Avenue, Chadderton, OL9 8EF. Printed by Reach Printing Services (Oldham) Limited, Hollinwood Avenue, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 8EB vote on whether they wish to end the season first and deal with the logistics of it finishing later.

However, it could also ask clubs for their preferred method of deciding league position. Options include:

VOIDING the season completely

USING present placings

USING points-pergame average

USING weighted points-per-game average, which takes into account the number of home and away games each club has played

The EFL released a statement by way of