Everything fans need to know about the EFL vote
Sunderland are set to discover their fate at a meeting of EFL clubs today – and here’s everything you need to know about the crucial summit.
All 71 EFL clubs will hold a virtual meeting today with a host of key issues – including the fate of the 2019/20 season –set to be decided via a crucial vote.
And ahead of the meeting, here’s everything Sunderland supporters need to know:
WHEN WILL THE VOTE TAKE PLACE AND WHO WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE?
The meeting and subsequent will take place over a virtual platform.
EFL chair Rick Parry is set to lead the conversation, with representatives from each EFL club offered the chance to attend. For Sunderland, that is likely to be chief executive Jim Rodwell.
However, a number of clubs are not expected to join the meeting and will instead vote via proxy.
WHAT WILL CLUBS BE VOTING ON?
There could be as many as three rounds of voting taking place, with EFL clubs set to vote on a string of proposals and amendments.
Here’s each round explained in detail:
Vote 1
The first vote will see clubs decide the framework upon which seasons will be decided if they are curtailed.
Here, clubs will vote on the EFL’s own proposal which would see standings, plus promotion and relegation, decided on an unweighted points-per-game basis. The play-offs in each division will take place as usual and should not be extended.
Vote 2
Once the proposal mentioned above is passed, as is widely expected, clubs can then vote on a number of potential amendments to the chosen framework. These are:
- The Barnsley Proposal – No club should be relegated in a division that fails to fulfill its fixtures.
-The Tranmere Proposal
–Tables will be decide do nun weighted points-per-game but with a ‘margin for error’ formula applied. Clubs will then be given a ‘Final Points Range’ which would determine whether they are promoted, relegated or take part in an extended play-off competition.
- The Lincoln City amendment – Any points deductions awarded to clubs will be deducted after the points-pergame calculation is made, rather than applied as part of the calculation.
- The Stevenage amendment – No club should be relegated from League Two if clubs opt to curtail the fourth tier season.
- The Ipswich amendment – Should the League One season be ended, clubs should be able to vote on alternative play off options.
Vote 3
After a framework is establishedfor finishing the season, individual leagues can hold a vote to determine whether their seasons are curtailed or continued.
In League One, it is widely expected that the season will be finished.
This vote may take place today, but could take place later in the week if clubs wish to take stock of the finalised framework before casting their vote.
League Two, of course, have already voted to curtail their season while the Championship are preparing for a June 20 restart.
WHAT PERCENTAGE OF CLUBS NEED TO VOTE FOR A PROPOSAL TO BE PASSED?
A majority of clubs (51 per cent) will need to vote for any one proposal for it to be passed.
In addition, a majority of Championship clubs will also need to agree to any framework for it to be incorporated into the EFL rules.
In terms of individual divisions, the EFL state that at least 51 per cent of clubs must vote for a season to be curtailed in order for play to be halted. It’s worth noting that, unlike the vote on the EFL framework, the decision to end the third tier is down to the 23 clubs in that division alone–the Championship clubs do not receive a veto as they do with other votes.
HOW ARE SUNDERLAND EXPECTED TO VOTE?
Sunderland are expected to back any proposal that gives them a chance of securing promotion–either via play continuing or the play-offs being extended.
The vast majority of third tier clubs are thought to be against the season continuing, however.
WHEN WILL A CONCRETE DECISION BE ANNOUNCED?
Many expect it will be Wednesday – when the EFL Board traditionally meet–that the approved framework will be confirmed.
But clubs will know their fates immediately after the three rounds of voting are complete, offering some much-needed clarity ahead of the 2020/21 season.
*Shrewsbury Town boss Sam Ricketts is backing plans to end the League One season – believing it is the ‘logical’ solution.
While a host of clubs, including Sunderland, are keen to see fixtures completed, the growing consensus is that the season will end – meaning the Black Cats will be sentenced to a third season in League One.
And Ricketts believes such a decision would be the correct one, as he feels the financial implications of completing the season – a six-figure sum will be required to fund testing of players and staff alone – means fulfilling the remaining fixtures in unrealistic.
Indeed, the Shrewsbury manager insists that ensuring clubs survive is more important than competing for promotion.
“I think it’s a logical conclusion given the finances involved,” said Ricketts.
“With our league the financial gains of going up aren’t enough to cover the cost of 23 teams trying to do so.
“I understand every club has to fight for its own point of view.”
“I think there are bigger things at stake with clubs fighting for their survival rather than whether they get promoted or not .”