Cats face an anxious wait over future
Sunderland AFC will not discover their fate until next week – after talks over the conclusion of the League One season reached no definitive outcome.
Representatives from all League One clubs met with EFL officials this morning to debate their course of action for the remainder of the 2019/20 season.
But no firm outcome has been reached, with clubs now set to meet again next week in a bid to move a step closer to a decision.
It was always likely that today’s talks would not reach a clear conclusion, with League One sides split over their next steps.
While a growing number of sides have grown reluctant to attempt to complete the campaign, a number of promotion-chasing teams – including Sunderland – want to see fixtures played and the season finished once it is safe to do so.
Both sides were able to put forward their perspectives during this morning’s conference call, with clubs now able to take stock and consider their position ahead of another meeting next week.
The Black Cats have indicated their desire to vote for the season to be continued, but clubs have not yet been issued with notice of a vote to determine the fate of the season.
That means Sunderland will face another week of uncertainty over their fate, and whether they will be able to compete for promotion to the Championship or be consigned to a third season in League One.
Meanwhile, League Two clubs have agreed on how to end the 2019-20 season.
The fourth-tier sides gathered by conference call on Friday and the PA news agency understands the clubs were in favour of three teams being promoted automatically to League One, completing the play-offs to decide on one more side to go up, and on no teams being relegated to the National League.
A points-per-game format was discussed, with any formal ending of the season requiring a similar agreement being reached by League One – whose talks broke up earlier on Friday without a definitive outcome.
Any decision would then require the ratification of the English Football League and the Football Association.