Sunderland face third season in League One as their lowest-ever finish is officially confirmed

The EFL have confirmed that third-tier clubs have voted to curtail the current campaign.

The table will be settled on a points-per-game basis, with Sunderland dropping into eighth position.

The EFL said that clubs voted to curtail ‘by an overwhelming majority’.

Clubs had this morning voted to adopt the EFL’s framework for settling the tables, rejecting proposals by Tranmere Rovers and Ipswich Town that could have seen the Black Cats invited to take part in an extended play-off campaign.

Coventry City and Rotherham United have been promoted automatically, while Wycombe Wanderers, Oxford United, Portsmouth and Fleetwood Town will contest the play-offs, to be held later this month.

The result of the vote tody was a mere formality, with the four teams set to take place in the play-offs already back in training having begun a COVID-19 testing programme.

A four-game winless run before the postponement of fixtures across the division has cost the Black Cats dear.

They miss out on the top six by 3.32 points, after the final calculations.

Southend United, Bolton Wanderers and Tranmere Rovers have all been relegated.

Swindon Town have been confirmed as League Two champions and will face Sunderland next season.

Crewe Alexandra and Plymouth Argyle have also been promoted automatically. Colchester United, Exeter City, Cheltenham Town and Northampton Town will contest a play-off campaign later this month for the final promotion slot.