EFL clubs to discuss possible changes to controversial rules that saw Sunderland miss out on play-offs

The 2019-20 League One and Two campaigns were cut short by a vote of the clubs in June due to the pandemic, with promotion and relegation decided by an unweighted points-per-game (PPG) system.

Sunderland missed out on a play-off place as a result of the controversial measures used to decide the final League One table last season.

The league and its clubs will now discuss contingencies for the current campaign over the coming weeks, including when a season would be far advanced enough to apply promotion and relegation, and whether PPG or a different system would be used to calculate final positions.

In a Q&A about fans returning to stadiums, the EFL wrote: “Behind the scenes, the EFL will continue discussions with all EFL clubs later this month to consider if there is a need for increased regulation to determine what might happen in future in the event of a future outbreak or period of sustained postponement.

“Considerations such as at what point a season can be considered ‘valid’ or ‘complete’ and when it is voided will be discussed, as will potential issues of who makes the decision to ultimately curtail and on what basis, ie the application of PPG, will also be factored into these discussions in order to provide further clarity.”

The EFL said it was important there was a “unified” approach with the Premier League.