The Athletic’s Phil Hay has shared a report via Twitter from his colleague Matt Slater which claims the EFL will abandon Leagues One and Two next week. It goes on to say the clubs will be asked to vote on how to decide promotion and relegation. The news has led many Leeds United supporters to question whether or not the Championship is likely to follow suit.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side currently sit top of the Championship, seven points clear of Fulham in third and having waited so long to return to the top flight, you can understand their concerns regarding what the knock-on effect might be for them.
EFL chairman Rick Parry has warned the current season cannot run beyond July due to the situation with player contracts (as per BBC Sport), and if Slater’s report is accurate, it appears the third and fourth tiers could become casualties of the recent viral outbreak.
Here is how some of the Elland Road faithful have responded to this update.
Surely PPG is the only fair way.
— Lee Thompson (@lufcThommo) May 8, 2020
It doesn’t matter if Leeds play behind closed doors a full stadium or the Championship ends today. With the run in what Leeds have left & being in the top 2 all season the league doesn’t lie!!! Leeds r going UP & everybody knows it ???
— Johnathan Hemstock (@johnieyeboah) May 8, 2020
PPG all over and start next season in august!
— Sonny Cee (@Shepelev81) May 8, 2020
No way championship will start, over 200 grand per team for the covid tests, the logistics, got to be finished before end of June, i cant see it.
— Sean ?? (@seanmlufc) May 8, 2020
Would you be happy to see the final standings decided on points-per-game?
Yes
No
Let’s hope clubs don’t have to vote in our League
— Ben Hope (@BenHopeAJBass) May 8, 2020
Think we all know how it would turn out if it went to a vote in the Championship
— bri0142 (@bri0142) May 8, 2020
What do we think?
It’s clear these fans have a range of opinions in regards to the best way to finish the season. According to Phil Hay, the Championship is far more open to games being played behind closed doors than Leagues One and Two, hence the second tier not being included in the EFL’s plans for abandonment. Therefore, hope remains that Leeds United will get to play their remaining fixtures and win promotion back to the Premier League for the first time since they were relegated in 2004.