Every outcome from all the potential ideas to finish the Cha

Every Championship scenario analysed as Cardiff City, Swansea City, Leeds United and West Brom's seasons hang in balance

The EFL is planning to resume the season in the coming months, we have taken a look at how every scenario will impact Championship clubs

By Glen Williams Cardiff City correspondent


Monday 4th May 2020


We analyse every outcome from all the potential ideas to finish the Championship season

The football season has been decimated by the coronavirus crisis but discussions around a conclusion to the campaign are continuing to orientate.

A number of ideas to conclude the Championship season have been floated, with the league continuing to discuss potential plans with their stakeholders, though the time frame to come to a decision is very tight.

While the preference is for the season to be completed and all matches played, there are a number of difficult issues to navigate through and, with every proposed plan, there are pros and cons.

As things stand, Cardiff City and Swansea City sit two and three points off the play-off spots respectively, while West Brom and Leeds United sit pretty in the automatic promotion spots.






Here, we have gone through all of the options along with the positives and negatives of each approach.



Behind closed doors

The preferred option for the Championship, which would see all 92 remaining league matches played at neutral venues and behind closed doors - with the season expanded into the summer months.

Pros: No arguments in regards to number of matches played, can help to provide a morale boost to the country.

Cons: Neutral venues would likely lead to arguments, questions over the health and safety of the players, coaches and staff, criticisms of mass testing in the current environment outside of football.

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Points per game

This method produces a final table by dividing a teams’ current points tally by games played to get a points-per-game average, with goal difference then used as a deciding factor if any clubs have the same total.

Pros: Simple to work out, takes into effect every match already played this season and league table doesn’t alter significantly.

Cons: Relegated teams would certainly appeal, disregards the remaining matches on the fixture list.

Cancellation with current standings

The league table is frozen and the current standings are taken as final, with the bottom three relegated, Leeds United and West Brom promoted.

Pros: Draws a line under the season. The transfer window can go ahead with the current dates and the start of next season would be unaffected.

Cons: Would immediately turn into a legal minefield, integrity of the competition would be questioned, unclear on what would happen to the third promotion spot.









Null and void

The nuclear option, and one that has already been put in place in the National League and with Holland’s Eredivisie, is to declare the entire campaign null and void - wiping this season's records, with no champions nor relegation.

A solution would be required to decide the representatives for European competitions in 2020/21 and it would also require the EFL to take the same approach on their campaigns.

Pros: A clean break, drawing a line under the season. The transfer window can go ahead with the current dates and the start of next season would, hopefully, be unaffected.

Cons: Harsh on those who have performed well this season. Opens the door to legal action from broadcasters and sponsors, who could deny payments or demand refunds.

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The 19-game table

This method would only take the first 19 games of the season into consideration, which would mean each team has played against each other once and sit on an even amount of matches played.

Pros: Based on actual results, an even amount of games played and the same opponents faced.

Cons: Arguments based on home and away matches, questions over whether 19 games is a fair table.










No relegation, 22 teams next season

The current league table would be made final, with Leeds United and West Brom promoted into an expanded 22-team Premier League next season. No relegation, with a 26-team Championship in the 2020/21 campaign.

Pros: Draws a line under the current season, doesn’t cause legal action in regards to relegation.

Cons: Expanded league adds to increased fixture congestion next season, unfair on those within Championship playoff spots, would need to be put in place across the EFL.

I believe there’s only one clear option that’s the bull and void it all. It’s been to long now and the country I believe aren’t that keen on a return to sport right now.

My opinion on the pro of it being a morale booster are off the mark as for taking away the fans game is not mood improving one. They don’t care about the fan they care about the sponsorship money.