EFL and FA announce further delay to season across all leagues in England

All EFL and Premier League football will be postponed until at least April 30, an extension from the original date of April 3, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Fixtures were originally suspended for three weeks but the extent of COVID-19 has unsurprisingly forced a further delay.

In a joint statement released on Thursday, the EFL said: "The FA, Premier League, EFL and women’s professional game, together with the PFA and LMA, understand we are in unprecedented times and our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19.

"We've collectively agreed that the professional game in England will be further postponed until no earlier than Thursday, April 30.

"The progress of COVID-19 remains unclear and we can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority.

"We will continue to follow Government advice and work collaboratively to keep the situation under review and explore all options available to find ways of resuming the season when the conditions allow."

However, the governing bodies have signalled their determination to finish the current campaign by tweaking the rules that will allow the season to be played beyond June 1st.

The statement added: "We're united in our commitment to finding ways of resuming the 2019-20 football season and ensuring all domestic and European club league and cup matches are played as soon as it is safe and possible to do so.

"We've collectively supported UEFA in postponing EURO 2020 to create space in the calendar to ensure domestic and European club league and cup matches have an increased opportunity to be played and, in doing so, maintain the integrity of each competition.

"The FA’s Rules and Regulations state that 'the season shall terminate not later than the June 1' and 'each competition shall, within the limit laid down by The FA, determine the length of its own playing season'.

"However, our Board has agreed for this limit to be extended indefinitely for the 2019-20 season in relation to professional football."