BANDWAGON GATHERS PACE

Over 180 clubs oppose FA’s null and void ruling

SUPPORT behind an open letter to The FA demanding a proper conclusion to the season at Steps 3 to 7 is increasing ahead of Tuesday’s crucial FA Council meeting.

The decision to make the 2019-20 campaign null and void for clubs in the BetVictor Northern Premier League, Isthmian League and Southern League, plus those below at County level, last week was met with anger from some clubs and even leagues.

But the season is not yet officially over with a meeting set to take place this week to ratify the decision.

Last Monday, an open letter to The FA was published with the backing of more than 60 clubs, including some from the respective women’s leagues, whose seasons were also expunged at tiers three to seven.

That number has now risen to more than 180 and includes signatures from Football League clubs and MPs.

The letter describes the

“needless and inexplicable haste exercised in reaching the decision, coupled with a total lack of substantive dialogue or consultation with affected clubs” and urges for constructive dialogue with The FA to have the decision reconsidered.

Integrity

It is understood Step 3 and 4 leagues had little time to consult with their member clubs before providing feedback to The FA although the leagues’ committees are made up of elected members who themselves represent clubs.

The letter claims that “many leagues across the country assert that no vote had been put to them by the FA, and that leagues at Steps 5 to 6 in particular felt the decision had already been made by the time they had been consulted, rendering the ‘consultation’ process insignificant”.

It also takes issue with the National League not adhering to the rest of the National League System, adding: “It is incomprehensible to treat leagues differently; you cannot undermine the integrity of the footballing pyramid by applying a different set of rules to one group and not to the others.”

The major issue surrounds making the season null and void instead of using a different method such as points-per-game to conclude the campaign. It is understood the Northern Premier League’s initial preference was to use the PPG outcome.

The letter continues: “A crisis like this is a watershed moment for the FA and the relationship it chooses to have with Non-League and grassroots football. It is imperative to solve this issue sensibly and democratically over the coming weeks, with transparent, constructive and fair dialogue with respective leagues and clubs.

“The alternative, which would certainly not reflect well on the FA, is forcing clubs to embark on potential legal recourse, which is wholly unnecessary and financially burdening to clubs.

“We urge the FA to reconsider its decision and to slow down the whole process, offering proper consultation with afflicted leagues and clubs as the picture becomes clearer, before deciding a way forward.”