What Cardiff City, Swansea City, Leeds United and West Brom will have learned from Rick Parry’s open letter to EFL clubs
Both the Premier League and EFL issued fresh updates to clubs and supporters this afternoon
By Connor O’Neill
2 MAY 2020
Sport
The EFL have once again reaffirmed their stance that they are aiming to complete the 2019/20 season when it is deemed safe to do so.
Chairman Ricky Parry has insisted that the EFL remain determined to finish the season in an open letter to all 71 clubs.
All professional football in England has been indefinitely suspended since March 13 and there is no concrete date as to when it will return.
Reports earlier this week had suggested there was a growing feeling that the EFL season was unlikely to be completed, while a leaked message from Bristol Rovers' PFA representative Alex Rodman suggested plans to promote three teams from each level of the EFL, with no relegation, were now gathering pace.
However, it seems that football chiefs remain keen on ensuring that the season is allowed to be completed.
Like the rest of the EFL, Cardiff City and Swansea City would have ended their regular seasons this weekend, and were both firmly in the running for a top six finish.
Failure to complete the season would, in all likelihood, end any possible hope of either side earning a place in the top flight next season.
However, this latest assurance will come as a significant boost to their respective ambitions, although clearly there is still plenty of uncertainty over the situation.
What did Parry say?
"Whilst there is still no further clarity on a return of EFL matches, the objective remains to play the remaining fixtures for the 2019-20 campaign at the current 71 EFL grounds.
“It is important that any clubs notify the EFL of any issues that may prevent this as soon as possible.
"Some progress has been made in respect of planning how matches may take place, with draft operational plans put before the board at this week's meeting and incorporating many areas such as: stadium preparation, medical provisions, staffing, media access and, of course, measures needed to ensure the safety of all participants including first-team players and staff, match officials, and everyone else associated with the matchday environment."
The Guardian report that the play-offs will still go ahead under contingency plans being drawn up by the EFL
When will they next meet?
It is not yet known when the EFL and its club are set to meet again, however given the Premier League is due to meet next Friday, one imagines an update from the governing body will be issued next week.
While the government is also expected to issue a statement on lockdown measures next Thursday.
Should measures be loosened, it will offer encouragement that clubs can return to training in mid-May ahead of a June 8 restart.
Of course, if current measures remain, that would seriously dent any hopes of restarting on that date.
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