West Brom CEO commits to EFL plan in major promotion boost following Hull City complaint
West Brom News | The Baggies will back the EFL's plan
by James Rushton, https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/authors/james-rushton/After a show of complaint from Hull City vice-chairman Ehab Allam, West Bromwich Albion CEO Mark Jenkins has pledged his support to the EFL's plan to resume the football season, and complete the current campaign by playing fixtures.
This comes after a number of statements from Allam, who voiced opposition to any plan to continue the season.
Allam twice wrote to the EFL requesting for the season to be voided in a threat to Albion's bid for promotion.
Hull had also revealed that they are the Championship club to have returned two positive tests for coronavirus.
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The EFL confirmed in a statement there had been two positive cases from more than 1,000 tests carried out among players and staff at second-tier clubs.
However, Jenkins has committed the club to backing the EFL.
“We certainly welcome the clarity the EFL have now provided as to its future intentions in terms of resolving the conclusion of the 2019/20 season,” said Jenkins in a club statement.
“However, let me say at the outset that West Bromwich Albion’s position in this remains the same now as it was back when fixtures were halted - the Club is resolutely behind finishing the campaign, if it is at all possible, where it belongs and that is on the pitch.
“We take comfort that this is also the apparent wish of all the governing bodies and the majority of our fellow Championship clubs.
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“From the moment that the path was cleared for the players to return to training, albeit in a regulated and strictly-controlled format, our mindset has been focused solely on being in the best possible shape, physically and mentally, to complete the remaining nine league fixtures.
“Up to the point of the lockdown, we had enjoyed an excellent season from Slaven and the players and we all remain firmly behind them and their ability to finish off the job in a manner which would befit an exceptional and unique campaign.
“To that end, we are gearing up to be ready to stage games behind closed doors at The Hawthorns while observing all anticipated safety protocols.
“As Slaven has made clear, the players have applied themselves to their individual training programmes diligently and returned to training in excellent shape, mentally and physically, for the challenges ahead. We will continue to do everything we can in challenging circumstances to support their efforts.”
West Brom's first true training session took place today, with boss Bilic admitting his surprise at the condition of players.
"They have been great – we expected that to be fair, that is why we gave them those kinds of programmes," said Bilic to the Express & Star.
"But every one of one them surprised me to be fair in a positive way."