Sheffield Wednesday find out how season will finish if Championship doesn’t resume

It’s been more than two months now since Garry Monk’s side last stepped out on the football field, and while they are set to return to training on Monday, there has still not been a decision made on when – or whether – games will resume.

Though League Two clubs have decided that they favour a curtailment of the league rather than resumption, there has not yet been any word on how things will pan out for Championship and League One outfits.

Wednesday boss, Monk, has already said that managers are in agreement that they would like the league to resume and finish things off, telling local media this week, “We had a Championship managers' meeting the other day and I think we’re all in agreement, we want to finish the season, I think that’s the right thing to do, to finish it on the pitch.

“But there are a lot of things that need to be signed off a few grey areas still to work out. Obviously we’ve been waiting a long time for the guidance and instructions.

“The first real directive came this week, in terms of a possible return date of 25 May [for small group training]. There are still a few things that need to be signed off but that’s the first time the EFL have given us a more definite date of a return to training.

"Obviously we need phase three to come, which is the main part, like normal training. Unless we get to that point, of course we can’t finish the season.”

Now, in a statement released today, the EFL have given a further directive, saying, “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.”

They went on to list a ‘recommended framework’ in order to take things forward, explaining that it would only need a 51% majority within the division in favour of curtailment for it to be called off, and that relegation is ‘integral to the integrity of the pyramid’.

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.

Meanwhile, the league’s 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.”

The Owls have nine games left of the 2019/20 season, five at home and four away, and a decision on season-ticket refunds etc. will largely depend on whether or not those games will be played.