SO CLOSE! EFL plan will promote City if season cancelled
BUT SKY BLUES MUST WAIT FOR LEAGUE ONE RIVALS TO APPROVE ENDGAME
EFL boss Rick Parry has handed Coventry City an almighty boost to their promotion hopes – by confirming it is their preferred outcome that should the season be curtailed the Sky Blues will be promoted to the Championship.
Coventry chief executive Dave Boddy had hoped to leave Friday morning’s online meeting with his League One rivals with complete clarity on the direction the season was heading after talk of a vote amongst clubs to end the season began to grow in the days prior.
But instead, the conference call, chaired by Parry, ended with the club no closer to promotion.
That was until news broke only an hour later that an indicative vote amongst clubs had resulted in the cancellation of the remainder of the League Two season, the division below City’s League One, with points per game set to be used to finalise the standings.
And moments later the EFL released a statement, making clear their intention to impose the same mechanism in the division above – a move that would see Coventry and Rotherham promoted to the Championship – but first they must convince City’s other rivals to approve the plan.
A group of six rebel League One clubs united on Thursday evening to thrash out a joint-statement that outlined their intention to revolt against the EFL’S plans in a move that they hope will allow them to complete the season on the pitch.
Peterborough United, Sunderland, Oxford, Portsmouth, Fleetwood and Ipswich stood against their third-tier rivals during Friday’s call that forced Parry to postpone talks until Monday, allowing time for clubs to cool over the weekend.
He did not, however, face the same fight when speaking to League Two clubs just an hour later.
The fourth tier held a vote that saw a unanimous verdict in favour of ending the campaign immediately with points per game imposed, the top three promoted and the four play-off sides pencilled in to do battle in the play-offs next month.
That unanimous verdict saw Port Vale, just a point shy of the play-off places, vote to end their promotion dream to honourably do what they felt was best for the division and the future of their rivals.
All 23 League One clubs will, however, meet again on Monday morning, hoping that more clarity will be offered.
Until then, the Sky Blues face yet another weekend of waiting with the trophy so close to their grasp.
The EFL said: “Representatives of League One and League
Two clubs met on Friday where they have shared a wide range of comprehensive views in respect of how the 2019/20 season is concluded.
“The rationale for playing the remaining matches has been fully debated with a particular focus on the issues Covid19 has created in respect of health and wellbeing, ongoing testing requirements, player registration issues and the financial burdens clubs already face at this difficult time. “In the event of a curtailment of the season, the EFL board outlined how this could be addressed through a framework that includes maintaining the principle of promotion and relegation, league tables to be determined via unweighted points per game (PPG) and play-offs to remain in every division to determine the final promotion place.”
They added: “The EFL will continue to work with all its members to progress the discussions and arrive at the necessary decisions as appropriate in what remain challenging and complex circumstances.”
How will League One finish using PPG?
Well, it’s simple for the Sky Blues. Any outcome, besides deeming the campaign ‘null and void,’ will see them promoted thanks to their seven-point advantage over thirdplaced Oxford.
The Sky Blues and Rotherham United would be lifted immediately into the Championship while Wycombe Wanderers, who have endured a torrid 2020 so far after their runaway start to the campaign, would leap up to third.
Oxford United, Portsmouth and Fleetwood would complete the playoff places, set to be staged late in June, while Peterborough United and Sunderland would both miss out entirely.
That move will not go down well with Posh chairman Darragh Macanthony who last week threatened the EFL with a legal case of “epic proportion” should they deny his side the chance to fight for promotion.
At the bottom, Bolton Wanderers will finish in 23rd behind Southend United and Tranmere Rovers.
The EFL will continue to work with all its members to arrive at the necessary decisions as appropriate.
EFL statement