Plymouth Argyle will have to wait over League Two promotion verdict

There will be no decision on the fate of the 2019/20 EFL season until June 8

Plymouth Argyle will have to wait until at least Monday, June 8 to find out if their promotion from League Two is confirmed.

That date has been set by the EFL for a meeting of clubs across all three divisions – the Championship, League One and League Two.

Clubs in the Championship wants to resume the 2019/20 season, which was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Those in League Two want to end the campaign while League One are ‘still undecided’, according to the latest statement from the EFL on Friday morning.

The EFL Board has agreed to progress with a framework in respect of changes to their regulations in the event the 2019/20 season is curtailed in any division.

In the case of League Two, that would see Argyle promoted, along with Swindon Town and Crewe Alexandra, on an unweighted points-per-game basis.

That would leave Cheltenham Town, Exeter City, Colchester United and Northampton Town to contest the play-offs.

The EFL Board believes resuming the 2019/20 season with the existing format remains the most appropriate course of action from a sporting integrity perspective.

But they accept there are circumstances that may lead to curtailment or a situation subsequently transpires whereby the season is unable to conclude.

In the case of League Two, the cost of COVID-19 tests for the players has been an issue for clubs.

Should there be a curtailment to the 2019/20 season in any division, the framework proposes that final positions should be determined on unweighted points per game, if required.

Promotion and relegation would be retained and the play-offs take place in all circumstances, but not be extended beyond four teams.

If a scenario arises whereby the play-offs cannot be held, the EFL Board will determine the appropriate course of action.

The EFL Board considers that the majority required to curtail the 2019/20 season in any division should be 51 per cent.

They also believe the principle of relegation across all three divisions is integral to the integrity of the football pyramid, from the Premier League down to the National League.

That is provided the EFL have assurances the National League will start season 2020/21 and, as a result, the relegated club in League Two would have somewhere to play.

Today’s EFL statement read in full: At its meeting on Wednesday 27 May 2020, having carefully considered submissions from clubs, the EFL Board agreed to progress with the proposed framework it outlined on Thursday 21 May 2020 in respect of changes to EFL Regulations in the event season 2019/20 is curtailed in any EFL Division.

At the same time as advising on its proposed approach last week, the Board had asked clubs to give it appropriate consideration and provide any feedback.

Communications were submitted from clubs across all divisions and those proposals, some of which have been made available publicly, suggested how the framework in the event the season is ended prematurely could alternatively work.

The Board has to date been consistent in its approach that playing out the remainder of season 2019/20 when it is safe to do so is the preferred position and whilst the Championship have advised of their intentions to resume fixtures, League Two clubs have indicated their preference to curtail the season. At present clubs in League One are still undecided.

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A decision on whether or not to curtail the season is a matter to be considered by clubs in any affected division, but only once a framework for resolving open issues in such circumstances has been agreed by all members across all divisions through a regulation change.

After a full and comprehensive review of the club submissions, alongside consideration of views stated at the club meetings of 13 and 15 May 2020, the Board unanimously agreed to continue with the original approach and is now proposing to call a meeting of clubs on Monday 8 June 2020 to consider and, if thought fit, approve the proposals to introduce the regulation change.

The EFL Articles allow member clubs the opportunity to propose amendments to regulations and should any club wish to propose an alternative, it must do so by submitting such a proposal by no later than 2.00pm on Tuesday 2 June 2020.

The EFL will issue any notice of meeting later that day. Any such club proposals will be considered at the same meeting as the Board’s proposal.