EFL delays 2019/20 decisions

The three tiers of the EFL could be set on very different courses - but a board meeting on Wednesday ended with no firm resolutions on the table. 

League Two clubs have previously voted to end the current campaign early, while League One's fate has been thrown into doubt with its 23 clubs failing to agree on a viable way forward. The Championship, meanwhile, in line with the Premier League above it, intends to restart the 2019/20 season behind closed doors. 

Here's a brief summary on where each EFL division currently stands: 

League Two: The fourth tier appears to be in the can: its members conducting an indicative vote last Friday that saw them in broad agreement on ending the season early.

What was less clear was how the issues of promotion and relegation would be decided. The EFL meeting on Wednesday provided some clarity as it stated that unweighted points-per-game tallies would be used to settle the final standing, and that play-off games would take place in the normal manner and be limited to just four teams.

In terms of relegation, the idea of scrapping demotion to the National League this season has been broached. However, for this to happen an unprecedented mid-season regulation change would be needed. 

League One: Unlike their League Two cousins, little headway has been made in the third tier regarding how the season should be settled. A small group are campaigning for the season to be completed behind closed doors, while the majority back an early end to the season for financial and logistical reasons.

Whichever of the two options is given the go-ahead, it is clear that some clubs will be unhappy with the outcome - the possibility of potential legal action already touted by some.

Basically, with time against them, League One clubs and the EFL have to come to an agreement sooner rather than later...but discord looks very likely.

Championship: For second tier clubs, the roadmap at the moment is very clear: prepare for the resumption of behind closed doors football. A guide on how to adopt Covid-19 related security and safety measures has been circulated this week to all Championship clubs - and coronavirus testing is being carried out at the moment with a view to group training being resumed on Bank Holiday Monday.

For the full transcript of the EFL's latest statement, please read below. 

EFL statement: coronavirus update.#EFL https://t.co/P0P0aJNMq3

— EFL Communications (@EFL_Comms) May 21, 2020