MacAnthony releases statement as Cats and promotion rivals unite

Sunderland are one of a number of League One clubs fighting to ensure the season is not brought to an early conclusion.

Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony has released a statement on twitter in which he says a number of clubs are determined to resume when safe to do so. Sunderland are one of those clubs.

Interestingly, so are Oxford

United, who could be promoted if the campaign was finished and the table settled on what is reportedly the EFL’s preferred method of a weighted points-per-game calculation.

MacAnthony wrote on twitter: “I have been asked to relay this message on behalf of Oxford United, Fleetwood Town, Portsmouth, Sunderland, Ipswich Town and Peterborough United to the EFL and the media ahead of our League One meeting.

“We as a collective are united in our goal to finish this season. We have no desire for voiding the season, PPG scenario’s/letting a computer decide our footballing fate. For our fans/staff & for the integrity of our sport we are all looking forward to completing our pending fixtures/season under guidance from the EFL at a time it is deemed safe to do so. Thank you for your time.”

League One clubs met yesterday morning to discuss their next steps with a growing sense that both they will call an early end to the season, though a definitive vote is not expected.

MacAnthony’s intervention came just moments after Rochdale CEO David Bottomley confirmed his club had become the first to propose settling the table on a PPG mechanism.

Southend United chairman Ron Martin earlier this week repeated his call for the season to be declared null and void.

A number of other clubs have expressed their reservations about the prospect of playing behind closed doors, and the timeframe for completing the season before Rick Parry's July 31 deadline is narrowing. Clubs were informed earlier this week that they now cannot return to training until May 25th at the earliest. Parry has previously told clubs that he believes a 56-day period will be needed to complete the campaign.

Sunderland have been represented in their dialogue with the EFL and other clubs by new CEO Jim Rodwell, and are strongly in favour of the season resuming.