Revealed: This is what was discussed in the EFL meeting that could shape Sunderland's promotion hopes

The EFL Board held their weekly meeting on Wednesday as they look to determine the fate of the 2019/20 season – and ultimately, Sunderland’s promotion hopes.
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And while the league released a brief statement on Wednesday evening following the meeting, national reports have delved deeper into what was discussed at the pivotal meeting.

As per the Daily Mirror, here’s the key points that were discussed – and how they’ll affect Sunderland and their League One rivals:

FINISHING THE 2019/20 SEASON

This is what was said in the EFL meeting that could shape Sunderland's promotion hopesThis is what was said in the EFL meeting that could shape Sunderland's promotion hopes
This is what was said in the EFL meeting that could shape Sunderland's promotion hopes
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Belief is growing that League One and League Two will be concluded as early as next week, with the financial and logistical hurdles to finish the season becoming tricky to overcome.

Therefore, most of the discussion was around how the Championship season could be concluded, with games set to take place behind closed doors.

For the third and fourth tier, talks were mainly around how to determine the season.

The Mirror claim that both leagues are set to be decided on a points-per-game basis, although there is some ‘tension’ between clubs over this approach given that some feel a more weighted approach should be taken into consideration.

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League One club owners are set to meet at 9:30am on Friday to thrash out their plans.

What seems to have become clear, however, is that there will be both promotion and relegation from League One this term.

THE PLAY-OFFSInterestingly, the Mirror claim that the EFL remain committed to continuing the play-offs in both League One and League Two.

After the tables are decided on a points-per-game basis – weighted or otherwise – the top two clubs could be automatically promoted, with the following four clubs competing in a play-off competition. The reports suggest that these fixtures could take place at Wembley.

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For Sunderland, this would have little significance. In any ‘sporting merit’ solution, they would not finish within the top six and so would not be eligible to participate in a play-off competition.

FINANCIAL RULES

Again, this discussion is said to have centred around Championship clubs – but serves to show that the EFL look set to introduce more stringent financial controls in the future.

There has been talk of a salary cap being introduced in League One, and this looks certain to happen in the future.

The Mirror reports claim that Championship clubs will be given a cap of between £15million and £20million – the exact figure is yet to be decided – which their wage bill must fall under.

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Crucially though, if clubs exceed this figure they will still be able to sign players – but only a maximum wage of £10,000 per week, which is the current Championship average.

In their statement on Wednesday the EFL said: “Current attention is clearly on the immediate next steps, but the long-term impact on the League and its Clubs remains as stark as previously outlined, and solutions are still required to fill the financial hole left by the crisis.

“The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic will not be rectified simply by a return to play behind closed doors.”