EFL talks: League One play-off plan, Stevenage face relegation
Written by News on 22/05/2020
Sky Bet League One is set to be decided on unweighted points-per-game while Stevenage are set to be relegated from League Two after the latest EFL Board meeting.
There have been disagreements between the League One clubs over how to continue the campaign and, any decision to curtail the season, will only take place if the clubs vote in favour of doing so.
League Two clubs have already voted to end their season early, pending approval from the EFL and the FA.
League Two clubs agreed that three teams should be promoted to League One, the promotion play-offs should still take place and no teams should be relegated to the National League – but the EFL has now said that relegation across all three divisions of the EFL is “integral” to the integrity of the competition.
A club should be relegated to the National League, the EFL board states, “provided we have assurances that the National League will start season 2020-21 (i.e. the relegated club in League Two has somewhere to play)”.
As well as setting out the principle on relegation, the EFL board says the play-offs should be played in the event of curtailment but should not be extended beyond the regular four teams.
It also says that the decision to curtail in each division should require a 51 per cent majority among the clubs concerned, with League One sides in open disagreement about whether to stop or play on.
EFL chairman Rick Parry said: “In the event that a divisional decision is made to curtail the 2019-20 season, the EFL board is recommending that the league adopts the original framework with the amendments as identified, as there is a strong desire to remain as faithful as possible to the regulations and ensure there is consistency in the approach adopted across the EFL in all divisions.
“The board has always acknowledged that a single solution to satisfy all clubs would always be hard to find, but we are at the point now where strong, definitive action is needed for the good of the league and its members.”
‘Devastatingly harsh’ – Tranmere vice-chairman
Tranmere currently sit 21st in League One and have a game in hand over AFC Wimbledon who are three points above in 20th.
As it stands, Tranmere would be relegated on points-per-game along with Southend and Bolton – a scenario Tranmere vice-chairman Nicola Palios does not believe is fair.
“It would be devastatingly harsh for Tranmere Rovers to be relegated on PPG when it is such a marginal call,” she said on Twitter. “We have a game in hand and are 3 points behind. We were on a great run of form (WWW) having made the investment in Jan to ensure our safety – and it was working.
“How can it be fair that we are robbed of a chance to keep our place in L1, but other clubs are given a chance to take it?”
MP says EFL League One, League Two clubs could fold without Government bailout
An urgent and substantial Government bailout is needed for clubs in the EFL Leagues One and Two, otherwise, up to 10 clubs could go into administration within weeks.
That is the view of former Chair of the Commons Select Committee, Damian Collins MP, and the co-owner of League One Sunderland, Charlie Methven.
He said: “In the next few weeks we could see five to 10 EFL League clubs going into administration.”
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(c) Sky Sports 2020: EFL talks: League One play-off plan, Stevenage face relegation
