Shropshire Star

EFL propose clubs vote to end League One season – with 51 per cent backing required for a curtailment

Shrewsbury Town's League One season would be decided by points per game, if 12 clubs vote to curtail the campaign under EFL proposals.

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The league has put forward a ‘framework’ to all its 71 clubs that would either see the remainder of fixtures played out or positions decided on unweighted points per game, putting Town 15th in the final table.

A majority of clubs across the divisions must first agree to the proposals before voting league by league whether to play on or finish early.

Shrewsbury Town have stated they will vote to bring the League One campaign to a close without playing any further games, refusing to put the health of players and staff at risk and citing mounting costs. The Montgomery Waters Meadow club are looking for closure on the situation, but feel the saga could yet rumble on for a couple of weeks.

The EFL has insisted promotion and relegation must remain and wants play-offs to still go ahead.

Clubs have been asked to further consider and pass comment by 2pm on Tuesday before changes to regulations, which could be submitted when the EFL board meet again on Wednesday.

Should the proposal be taken forward and 51 per cent of the third tier – 12 clubs – vote to close the season, as opposed to resuming the 2019/20 campaign to a conclusion, then placings would be decided on an unweighted points per game formula – moving Town above Lincoln City into 15th in the final standings.

That would also mean Bolton, Southend and Tranmere are relegated to League Two, while Coventry and Rotherham would be promoted.

Wycombe would also move into the play-off places at the expense of Peterborough and also leave Sunderland outside the top six.

An EFL statement said yesterday that play-offs should be played ‘in all circumstances’ but should not be extended beyond four teams – as has been mooted by sections of League One.

The statement said that a decision to curtail seasons shall be carried out on a divisional basis.

It read: “The principle of relegation across all three divisions is integral to the integrity of the pyramid, from the Premier League down to the National League, provided we have assurances that the National League will start season 2020/21 (the relegated Club in League Two has somewhere to play).”

EFL chairman Rick Parry reiterated that a solution to satisfy all clubs would be difficult, but called for ‘strong, definitive action’, saying there is a strong desire to remain as faithful as possible to regulations.

He 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 need for the good of the League and its members.”