The English Football League have announced that promotion an

Leeds United, West Brom, Cardiff City and Swansea City learn promotion fate as EFL release huge statement

The EFL have laid out their proposals over how the Championship season should be concluded and clubs will now be voted on by all clubs


Friday 22nd May 2020



The English Football League have announced that promotion and relegation will stand in all divisions even if clubs vote to curtail the 2019/20 season.

League Two opted against finishing the final matches of the campaign, whilst League One remain locked in deadlock, with a split over whether to finish or not.

The Championship is expected to round-up the 2019/20 season in full, although there is some opposition, with Hull City named this week.

However, the EFL have now officially confirmed that all tables will be settled on a pointer-per-game ratio, which would see Leeds United and West Brom promoted to the Premier League, if the season is curtailed, whilst the play-offs will still be used to decide the third promoted team.

Cardiff City and Swansea City still hold promotion hopes via the play-off system, and it would mean that, should the season be able to finish, that both Welsh clubs have a chance of top-flight promotion. The Bluebirds and Swans sit just two and three points off the top six respectively with nine matches still to play, meaning it's all to play for.

Equally, at the other end of the table, relegation will still stand too, despite a request from League Two clubs to suspend relegation.

A statement from the EFL on Thursday said: “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 that 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.

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“The recommended framework is as follows:



1. 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.

2. This means that, in the event of an early curtailment:

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

b. Promotion and relegation should be retained.

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

3. If a scenario arises whereby the Play-Offs cannot be played, the EFL Board will determine the appropriate course of action.

4. 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.

5. 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).

6. 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.

EFL chairman Rick Parry, said: “In the event that 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 need for the good of the League and its members.”

Cardiff City, Swansea City, Leeds United and West Brom players allowed to conduct coronavirus self-testing at home - reports

The EFL are said to be adopting what they are deeming a "flexible approach" to testing, which will be conducted by club medical staff, independent testers and even self-testing at their homes or at training HQs

By Glen Williams

Friday 22nd May 2020


Championship players will be allowed to self-administer coronavirus tests at home, according to reports

Cardiff City and Swansea City players will reportedly be permitted to self-administer coronavirus testing at home in new proposals outlined by the EFL.

The controversial plans, which are sure to evoke strong opinions from supporters, are thought to be the final measures implemented by the EFL ahead of second-tier clubs returning to training next Monday.

According to the BBC, the EFL are adopting what they are deeming a "flexible approach" to testing, which will be conducted by club medical staff, independent testers and even self-testing at their homes or at training HQs.

The details of self-administering the tests are laid out in the EFL's 26-page document outlining the latest return-to-play protocols.

WalesOnline understands that the first round of testing will take place on Thursday and Friday, with club doctors to receive results within 24 hours to ensure players are ready to return next week.

If positive tests are found and the player has no symptoms they are asked to isolate for 14 days. Those who are positive for Covid-19 and do show symptoms, however, are asked to isolate for seven days and would then face no further antigen testing. But players who are negative but do have symptoms should "isolate for seven days, then retest".

There will likely be controversy and a fair share of naysayers with regards to these latest proposed plans, with some people concerned over the legitimacy and regulation of home testing, which could potentially lead to foul play.

Strict measures have been implemented for the players' return, as has been evident at Premier League training grounds this week, which will largely consist of socially-distanced drills and exercises.

There will be no contact and sessions are permitted to last for a maximum of only 75 minutes.

Before returning to training, players must actively "opt in", per government guidelines, by penning written confirmation that they have received the "Covid-19 operational policy" and stating that they agree to take part in training. They can also opt out at anytime, the EFL's dossier is reported to say.





The BBC report that the following training guidelines must be adhered to by Championship clubs:

It is "recommended as few footballs and equipment used as possible"

"Tackling" and "any opposed activities" are prohibited

Equipment will be disinfected where necessary, including "cones, goalposts, mannequins, GPS units, balls and gloves"
PPE may be required, including "mask and gloves" when injured players enter the gym and "coaching staff will be asked to wear gloves during sessions"
Players are told not to "chat in groups" and will not be allowed to use ice baths, showers or have "non-essential treatment"
Players will have designated parking spaces, will have to arrive in their own kit and bring their own drinks and towels.
The Premier League recorded six positive tests out of 748 in their first round of testing over the weekend, with three of those players thought to play for Watford. Adrian Mariappa has already confirmed he is one of the three players.





The Championship, however, could yet resume before the Premier League, despite returning to training a week later than their top-tier counterparts.

The latest reports suggest that the EFL are aiming to restart the campaign on June 20, with five weekends and four midweek slots to account for the final nine rounds of fixtures, which would finish the regular season on July 18, and leave enough time for play-off matches.

Cardiff City and Swansea City currently sit in ninth and 11th, two and three points off the play-off spots respectively.

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Points per game - I guess they will have to work out average points per game HOME and average points per game AWAY.

Has anyone done the calculation and applied it for us and the teams around us ?

What about the bad luck of fixture list?

Will it take into account of any team that has played the top few teams twice and dropped points more than those that haven't yet played the top boys?

Nope.

If they do have to use PPG, it's unweighted points per game. Assuming this means just a straightforward points divided by games played. Which leaves us in 9th.

Everyone has played 37 in the Championship. We have 5 home and 4 away to go. With a much better home record.