Breakaway fears in EFL if campaign is cut short
EFL clubs fear curtailing the seasons in League One and League Two could lead to a Championship breakaway. Fifteen Championship clubs signed a letter to the EFL board last season threatening to go their own way during a row over the new television contract, and that prospect has re-emerged with the second tier set to align with the Premier League and finish their season. Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani has spoken of his desire to create Premier League 2, a concept supported by other leading clubs, with many in the bottom two divisions worried the impact of the pandemic could hasten a split. League Two clubs have already
signalled their intention to curtail the season and the majority in League One appear to want to follow suit, although they are yet to reach an agreement.
The majority of Championship clubs are determined to continue, however, and have begun testing their players for Covid-19 with a view to resuming training in small groups on Monday.
Sportsmail can reveal some clubs are privately discussing the prospect of a Championship breakaway, which could become the de facto situation if the third and fourth tiers do not resume, although a formal split would require endorsement by the FA and the Premier League.
A vote on curtailment is expected next week, with at least 51 per cent of clubs in any division required to vote in favour for the season to be scrapped.
The EFL confirmed yesterday that if any of the three divisions are curtailed, promotion and relegation will remain, with positions being settled on a points-per-game basis. The play-offs will take place as planned with four teams, despite calls to expand them.
At least six clubs in League One want to continue despite concerns over the cost of testing, and they received the support of mid-table Gillingham yesterday.
Manager Steve Evans said: ‘The return to football action allows League One promotion and relegation to be decided on the pitch, and by playing football you earn what you get. I trust all clubs in League One will vote to get playing in the next few weeks.’
But another League One club official told Sportsmail that the prospect of the season being completed was ‘highly unlikely’.
Peterborough will be one of the big losers in the event of a curtailment as they would be replaced in the play- offs by Wycombe on a points-per-game basis. Oxford, Portsmouth and Fleetwood would claim the other three spots, with Coventry and Rotherham going up automatically.
Bolton, Southend and Tranmere would be relegated. However, Tranmere are just three points behind fourth- bottom AFC Wimbledon and vice- chairman Nicola Palios said: ‘I hope 51 per cent of clubs will reject the proposals as grossly unjust.’
League Two clubs agreed to end their season early last week but were hoping to have relegation scrapped. Those hopes have been dashed with the EFL insisting relegation must remain.
Stevenage are bottom, but several clubs have discussed lobbying the EFL to take disciplinary action against Macclesfield for repeated failures to pay their players, which could see them docked enough points to go down.