English Football League needs 56 days to finish season, league chairman says
Rick Parry, the Chairman of English Football League (EFL), has told member-clubs the league organising body needs about 56 days to complete the 2019/2020 season.
British media reported Parry as saying on Thursday that EFL intends to conclude the campaign with the playoffs in all three divisions.
The EFL also said matches may be held without fans in attendance.
The league oversees the three divisions below the Premier League —- the Championship, League One and League Two.
Professional football in England has been suspended until April 30, but the 71 EFL clubs have now been instructed by the league not to resume training until May 16 at the earliest.
The UK is still in lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Whenever the decision is taken that it’s safe to resume, we currently estimate that the League will require approximately 56 days to complete the outstanding matches in the season (including playoffs),” Parry was quoted as saying in a letter published on The Daily Mail website.
“…we are in a position whereby the 2019/2020 campaign will be extended. But we still remain hopeful of a conclusion in the summer months.
“The EFL Board is currently working on the basis that the end-of-season playoffs will take place across all three divisions as normal.
“… although no decision has been taken on the likely venue as it will depend on the circumstances at play at the time.”
The playoff semi-finals are held over two legs on a home and away basis, with the finals usually staged at Wembley Stadium.
Clubs were also asked by the EFL in the letter to inform players they should take their annual leave now, while it will issue further updates on contracts and player registration.
World football’s governing body FIFA this week recommended extending players’ contracts which were due to end in June.
It added that it would allow transfer windows to be moved to allow for extensions to the current European season.
More than 1.47 million people have been reported infected by the novel coronavirus across the world and 87,760 have died, according to a Reuters tally.
The UK has over 60,700 confirmed cases and 7,097 deaths.(Reuters/NAN)
