EFL release fresh statement as Nottingham Forest await restart plans

The Reds returned to training this week and the EFL have reiterated Championship's intention to play on

The English Football League have reiterated the intention for Nottingham Forest and their Championship rivals to finish the season.

But a vote on the system for ending the campaign, should it need to be curtailed, has been further delayed.

In a statement, the EFL confirm another meeting will take place on Monday, June 8, when clubs will vote on approving rule changes for how to end the 2019/20 term.

Teams have until Tuesday, June 2, to submit proposals for alternative ideas on how it should finish.

The EFL recently proposed a framework that would see final positions be decided on an unweighted points-per-game system - and that promotion, relegation and the play-offs will take place.

And while the Championship hopes to play on, with the Reds having returned to training this week, the picture is not so clear further down the ladder.

League Two clubs have indicated their preference to curtail their season, while sides in League One are still undecided on what to do.

The EFL have also yet to firmly outline potential restart plans for the second tier, despite the Premier League having made their programme clear on Thursday.

The EFL’s latest statement said: “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.

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“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.

“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.”