EFL plan for a finish

LEAGUE CHIEFS DRAW UP PROPOSALS TO PLAY REMAINING GAMES IN 56-DAY PERIOD

EFL chiefs are aiming to complete the remainder of the 2019/20 season in 56 days when play resumes, a report has revealed.

Cardiff City and Swansea City have not played since the opening weekend of March, with the Bluebirds beating Barnsley 2-0 while the Swans drew 0-0 at home with West Brom.

Chiefs recently announced that the Championship, League One and League Two schedules will not resume until safe to do so, with the previous return date of April 30 being scrapped.

But the EFL estimates it can finish all fixtures within two months, including the play-offs, when the action is back underway.

Clubs have also been advised not to resume training activities until May 16 at the earliest.

EFL chairman Rick Parry has also informed clubs to expect games to be played behind closed doors, with the possibility of social distancing restrictions still in operation.

It’s unlikely that the 2019/20 season will restart in May anyway, with June, July and August potentially being the time where the current campaign could finally be concluded.

Players from all clubs are currently in lockdown and are utilising training schedules put together by staff in a bid to retain their fitness during the period of postponement.

“As confirmed last Friday [April 3], EFL matches are currently postponed indefinitely as the EFL board today [Wednesday, April 8] determined that, to provide a level of certainty, clubs should be advised not to recommence any training activity with players until May 16 at the earliest,” Parry said in a letter, as seen by The Telegraph.

“Whenever the decision is taken that it is safe to resume spectator sport, we currently estimate that the league will require approximately 56 days to complete the outstanding matches in the season (including play-offs) and we are committed to ensuring that clubs are provided an appropriate notice period to ensure you are able to prepare operationally given the scale and impact of the postponements in place.

“How and when we return [including training] is clearly subject to change and any decisions will be taken in conjunction with the Government and relevant health authorities.

“Clearly, we are in a position whereby the 2019/20 campaign will be extended, but still remain hopeful of a conclusion in the summer months.

“The EFL board is currently working on the basis that the end-of-season play-offs will take place across all three divisions as normal with twolegged semi-finals and a final, although no decision has been taken on the likely venue as it will depend on the circumstances at play at the time.

“It is our working assumption at this stage.

“We are absolutely mindful of the need to try and mitigate the cost of this to clubs as best as we can.”

Parry also discussed the importance of giving players time off now as it may be difficult to do so further down the line.

He added: “Clubs should consider their obligations to players in respect of annual leave and suggest those not currently furloughed be instructed to take time off, if they haven’t as yet done so.

“A further communication will be issued on this subject, alongside a summary on current player registration and contract matters by the close of play on Thursday.”

Each of the 24 sides in the Championship have just nine matches left to play.

Neil Harris’ Cardiff currently sit in ninth spot and are two points behind Preston who are in sixth.

As for Steve Cooper’s Swans, they are 11th on 53 points, three behind the final play-off berth.