English push for a June 30 finish

THERE is a growing desire within the English game to have the season finished one way or another by June 30.

Top-flight clubs will meet this morning via video conference, with the current return date of April 4 expected to be pushed back further across the English leagues with the backing of the Football Association.

But Sportsmail understands that an increasing number of Premier League clubs are also lobbying for a cut-off date at which a decision will need to be made on whether to abort attempts to play outstanding matches

There is a belief among many that playing any football after June 30 — when some players’ contracts expire — could prove to be almost impossible.

Should the coronavirus crisis continue to keep matches unplayable, a huge decision will then need to be made over how to deal with the premature end to the campaign. Are Liverpool declared title winners and Aston Villa relegated along with Norwich and Bournemouth? Or is the season declared null and void? And what of Leeds and West Bromwich Albion and their promotion hopes and so on down the pyramid?

After postponing Euro 2020 on Tuesday, UEFA said they wanted all domestic and European club competitions finished by June 30. Many believe that prospect is unlikely, given the crisis has shown little sign of subsiding. Premier League clubs have either nine or ten matches still to play.

Legal advice will be supplied at the summit and will play a key role in any decisions.

Yesterday, the EFL announced it was to release a £50million short-term relief fund to help clubs with cash-flow issues caused by the virus. The fund includes an early release of award payments and an interest-free loan facility. Officials are also looking into whether ailing clubs qualify for the £330bn government-backed loan scheme announced by the Prime Minister on Tuesday.