Rovers mull legal action against EFL

TRANMERE Rovers are considering legal action against the EFL after the Merseysiders’ relegation was rubber-stamped following the controversial decision to curtail the League One season.

League One clubs voted last week to cut short the campaign, which had been paused since March due to the Covid-19 crisis, and decide the final table using a points-per-game formula.

It is understood that only four – Tranmere, Sunderland, Peterborough, and Ipswich – voted to play on rather than curtail the season.

The premature end to the season ended any chance the latter three had of winning promotion, but Tranmere will now be relegated – even though they were just three points from safety and had a game in hand of fourthbottom AFC Wimbledon.

Tranmere chairman Mark Palios has been a fierce critic of the way the EFL has handled the situation and he put forward an alternative proposal which was rejected.

And he has now confirmed that his club is exploring its options.

In a statement, Palios said: “Emotions are running very high, but our first duty is to act in the best interests of the club.

“We have been taking detailed legal advice from experts in this specialist field of litigation and are closely following the legal actions in Belgium, France and Scotland (amongst other places) where similar decisions are being challenged and overturned on the basis of anti-competitive behaviour and unfair prejudice.

“At this stage we are keeping an open mind as to what legal action may be appropriate and/or necessary, and the timing of that.

“Our preferred option is of course to resolve the dispute in an amicable fashion working together with the EFL – and we invite the EFL to do so with the best interests of the footballing pyramid in mind – but to date the EFL has given no indication of any inclination to work with us to find a reasonable solution without resorting to formal legal proceedings.

“Accordingly, all options remain open, including a legal challenge if required.”

Peterborough were elbowed out of the play-off positions, and their chairman Darragh MacAnthony has threatened legal action.

Sunderland do not intend to take legal action, although chief executive Jim Rodwell has said it would come as no surprise to him if other clubs do call in lawyers.