‘The time for EFL decisiveness – not more delays – is surely now’
to be at least three weeks of training before competitive fixtures could resume. Many managers insist that it would have to be four.
Under the current timescale laid out by the EFL, the prospect of concluding before August therefore seems fanciful at best and outright impossible at worst.
The EFL had previously proposed some sensible measures to work around the potential contract crisis, such as pushing back the date at which rivals could approach potential free agents, and also allowing short-term extensions to be offered.
The reality is that each delay pushed the likely result of a vote towards curtailment, in contrast to the governing body's own stated aim.
The EFL have, in fairness, been in a very difficult position from day one.
It is right and proper that given the enormity of the issues at stake, clubs are given ample time and a proper platform to share their views.
The current impasse, though, benefits no club, no matter what side of the divide they stand on.
Those who want to resume see the chances of that reduced with each passing day.
Those that want to be able to make decisive decisions on squads and such like ahead of a potential new campaign, remain largely unable to do so while there is no clarity on what will happen to the current season (though Lincoln revealing their retained list on Thursday night was both a sign of the direction of travel, and probably an indication as to how unlikely a vote to resume now is).
All the while, key issues such as what kind of rebate may be demanded by broadcasters, and when a new season might begin and what that means for clubs, remain unanswered.
It's an unenviable position for any governing body to be in, but the time for decisiveness is surely now.