Everything discussed at EFL talk that could shape Cats’ season
clear, however, is that there will be both promotion and relegation from League One this term.
Interestingly,theMirrorclaim that the EFL remain committed to continuing the play-offs inbothLeagueOneandLeague Two. After the
– weighted or otherwise –thetoptwoclubscouldbeautomaticallypromoted,withthe
following four clubs competing in a play-off competition. The reports suggest that these fixtures could take place at Wembley.
ForSunderland,thiswould have little significance. In any ‘sporting merit’ solution, they wouldnotfinishwithinthetop six and so would not be eligible toparticipateinaplay-offcompetition.
Again, this discussion is said to have centred around Championship clubs – but serves to show that the EFL look set to introduce more stringent financial controls in the future.
There has been talk of a salary cap being introduced in League One, and this looks certaintohappeninthefuture.
The Mirror reports claim that Championship clubs will be given a cap of between £15million and £20million – the exact figure is yet to be decided–whichtheirwagebill must fall under.
Crucially though, if clubs exceedthisfiguretheywillstill be able to sign players – but only a maximum wage of £10,000 per week, which is the current Championship average.
In their statement on
WednesdaytheEFLsaid:“Current attention is clearly on the immediate next steps, but the long-term impact on the League and its Clubs remains asstarkaspreviouslyoutlined, and solutions are still required to fill the financial hole left by the crisis.
“The consequences of the COVID-19pandemicwillnotbe rectified simply by a return to play behind closed doors.”