EFL keen to strike agreement with clubs - including Portsmouth, Peterborough and Sunderland - in the event of coronavirus second wave
The Football League has confirmed discussions will take place with member clubs this month to determine suitable measures in the event of a future coronavirus outbreak or period of sustained postponement.
In March, football ground to a halt because of the Covid-19 crisis.
But while Premier League and Championship clubs eventually returned to action in June in order to complete the 2019-20 season, lower league sides voted to end the campaigns early.
They agreed on a points-per-game formula to determine final league positions – including automatic promotion and relegation spots.
Meanwhile, only clubs allocated play-off places were allowed to return to action as they contested the final promotion spot available behind closed doors.
Pompey, who were fourth in the League One table when the season was stopped, were against such a course of action and voted against it back in June.
They were joined by five others in registering their disapproval, but their concerns fell on deaf ears as clubs voted on an early curtailment.
Despite an ongoing rise in coronavirus cases, at present no EFL contingency plans are in place if similar events were to occur again.
But in a bid to avoid a repeat of those protracted discussions, the league’s governing body is keen to draw up regulations which which all clubs would adhere to in the event of a future outbreak.
That includes determining when clubs would deem a season to be valid or complete and what would be an appropriate points-per-game model.
In a Q&A sent out via their website, the EFL said: ‘There are many unknowns for all of us as the Government continues to take measures deemed necessary to help the country tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and we cannot be complacent in any decisions we take, particularly around the return of supporters to stadiums.
‘As a result, it wouldn’t be sensible to predict what could happen and if there is going to be a second wave. We will continue with reasonable optimism, and that includes still looking forward to the return of partial crowds, hopefully in the near future
‘Behind the scenes, the EFL will continue discussions with all EFL Clubs later this month to consider if there is a need for increased Regulation to determine what might happen in future in the event of a future outbreak or period of sustained postponement.
‘Considerations such as at what point a season can be considered ‘valid’ or ‘complete’ and when it is voided will be discussed, as will potential issues of who makes the decision to ultimately curtail and on what basis, i.e the application of PPG, will also be factored into these discussions in order to provide further clarity.
‘It is important that any such decision is agreed upon with our colleagues at the Premier League to ensure a unified approach across English football and we will update fans as soon as we have reached a consensus on this.’
The EFL also outlined its position regarding fans’ possible return to stadiums.
This weekend, seven league games will be part of a pilot event, with a maximum of 1,000 fans allowed entry.
They said they are ‘hopeful that the Government will continue to consider more opportunities for supporters to return to matches with increasing capacities in the near future’ and added: ‘the hope is that EFL Clubs will then be able to operate stadia at around 25-35 per cent of capacity’.
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