National League cancelled but play-offs a possibility
The National League has announced all remaining league matches will be cancelled – but it is understood promotion play-offs are a possibility with the season’s outcome yet to be decided.
The National League, National League North and National League South were suspended on 16 March, having controversially played a round of fixtures after the Premier League and EFL was halted.
It is four weeks since the National League asked the Football Association to help end its season “as soon as possible” due to the coronavirus and its 68 clubs have been voting on whether to end the league campaign.
The National League has received nearly 90 per cent of votes but there was a clear enough majority for the remaining league matches to be cancelled.
Chief executive Michael Tattersall said “the cancellation of the remaining normal season matches brings a degree of certainty to our clubs coping with the business implications of the virus”.
Dagenham and Redbridge managing director Steve Thompson, who is on the National League Board, said his club voted through the proposal that gives clubs “a better chance of surviving through the summer.”
The National League said in its statement that “options concerning the sporting outcomes of the 2019-20 season remain under careful and timely consideration” as they look to decide all three divisions.
It is understood promotion play-offs are under serious consideration – ideally with crowds should coronavirus regulations and timings permit – and only after that plan is considered will they look at other ways to determine league standings.
Points per game looks the most logical route, with a general feeling within the National League understood to be against null and voiding the season.