EFL confirm promotion and relegation will stand - setting Cobblers on course for the play-offs

Cobblers' hopes of competing in the League Two play-offs have received a boost after the EFL confirmed they want both promotion and relegation to stand this season, even if all remaining games are cancelled.

League Two clubs agreed upon a rough framework last week that included the top three going up and the next four teams taking part in the play-offs. Whilst the majority of clubs also voted in favour of scrapping relegation, the EFL have indicated that the bottom team, currently Stevenage, would go down, depending on how the National League end their season.

The EFL now want League One and the Championship to follow a similar model to League Two should their seasons also be abandoned.

The Championship are still hopeful of resuming next month but League One remain split over whether to continue or call things off now.

EFL chairman Rick Parry said: “In the event a divisional decision is made to curtail the 2019/20 season, the EFL board is recommending that the league adopts the original framework with the amendments as identified, as there is a strong desire to remain as faithful as possible to the regulations and ensure there is consistency in the approach adopted across the EFL in all divisions.

“The board has always acknowledged that a single solution to satisfy all clubs would always be hard to find, but we are at the point now where strong, definitive action is needed for the good of the league and its members.”

An EFL statement read: "The EFL board met yesterday to consider the feedback and subsequent implications of last week’s divisional club meetings, as the league continues to address the many complex financial and operational matters resulting out of the COVID-19 crisis, including how the 2019/20 campaign is concluded.

"The various proposals and counter-proposals received from clubs have been reviewed and, as a result, the board has finalised the draft framework that would be adopted into EFL regulations, in the event a division is to make the decision to curtail its season as League Two indicated last Friday.

"Clubs are now required to give the matter further consideration before the board formally proposes the appropriate regulation changes, which will then be voted on by all clubs.

"The recommended framework is as follows:

"Resuming the 2019/20 season with the existing format remains the most appropriate course of action from a sporting integrity perspective, but the board accepts there are circumstances that may lead to curtailment, (as has been demonstrated with League Two) or a situation subsequently transpires whereby the season is unable to conclude.

"This means that in the event of an early curtailment:

"Final divisional placings should be determined on unweighted points per game (if required).

"Promotion and relegation should be retained.

"Play-offs should be played in all circumstances but should not be extended (beyond four teams).

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

"The board considers that the majority required to curtail the 2019/20 season in any division should be 51%. Determining whether or not to curtail the season is a decision for each division to take.

"The principle of relegation across all three divisions is integral to the integrity of the pyramid, from the Premier League down to the National League, provided we have assurances that the National League will start season 2020/21 (i.e. the relegated club in League Two has somewhere to play).

"Any regulatory solution should be relevant and specific to the current challenges posed by the COVID-19 outbreak and reach a conclusion that is clear and effective with the impact and justifications easy for all stakeholders to understand."