League One clubs return to training as owners hit out at EFL over testing plans - which exclude Sunderland

Oxford United and Fleetwood Town were both back on the training field today as they took early steps towards a return to action – with the duo set to take part in the traditional end of season play-offs even if the 2019/20 season is curtailed, as is widely expected.

Portsmouth are also set to follow suit in the coming days, with the trio having also seen their players testing for COVID-19 during the latter parts of last week.

It is also understood that Wycombe Wanderers saw their players tested last week, meaning that all four clubs who would take part in the play-offs under the EFL’s proposed framework to decide the season have been subject to testing procedures.

No other League One clubs, including Sunderland, have seen their players tested under the EFL’s procedures.

And this has caused fury among a number of third tier club owners – who feel the assumption is already being made that the EFL proposals will be passed, as opposed to the other proposals on the table.

Tranmere Rovers have put together an alternative proposal to decide promotion and relegation, and their vice chair Nicola Palios tweeted: “How can clubs have a fair vote on Tuesday re our proposals when the EFL have only done Covid testing for clubs who would be in the playoffs under their proposal and not ours? And have struck the deal for TV assuming theirs will go through? This is NOT a fair process”

Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony was then quizzed on whether his side, who would finish just outside the play-off places under the EFL proposals, had been offered the chance to get tested.

He replied: “Nope they didn’t or I must have missed the memo . And yep would have been happy paying for weeks worth of testing prior to the vote.”

Sunderland are yet to return to training, with the Black Cats widely expected to be sentenced to a third season in League One following tomorrow’s EFL summit.