Gillingham demand place in potential expanded play-off campaign as League One uncertainty continues

Gillingham boss Steve Evans has demanded that they be included in any extended play-off campaign.
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League One clubs are expecting to vote on the fate of the season later this week, though a time and date has not yet been set.

The EFL board will hold their weekly meeting tomorrow when the matter is expected to be discussed further.

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A majority of clubs are understood to be keen to curtail the campaign, but Sunderland are one of six who have publicly stated their desire to play on.

Gillingham boss Steve EvansGillingham boss Steve Evans
Gillingham boss Steve Evans

The EFL have stated that they expected promotion and relegation to be respected regardless, and still plan to hold a play-off campaign.

That led the rebel clubs to propose an extension, given the fiercely contested nature of the promotion race this season.

The practicalities of such a campaign are not yet clear, with doubt over Coventry City and Rotherham United would be asked to take part.

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It is also not clear just how far down the table clubs would be willing to go, with some suggestions that Ipswich Town, currently sitting in tenth, could take part.

However, Evans has made his intervention as the application of an unweighted points-per-game mechanism to settle the table, which is the EFL’s preference, would see his side leapfrog Ipswich Town into tenth position.

“The first thing to make clear is that the EFL will have promotion and relegation throughout, Rick Parry, the league chairman, made that clear when he addressed us managers in League 1 last Friday,” Evans said.

“Further, to get everyone up to level games then average points per game needs to be added to those playing catch up with fixtures.

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“That would take us into the top 10 and be a part of these matches. In the event that happens I would trust we will give a good account of ourselves and perhaps even win them.

“No big clubs can get a free wildcard, if you don’t have the points you're not involved."

Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson has backed an extended play-off of some description, believing that it is a possible compromise to clear many of the hurdles to resuming the season.