Sunderland lose a key ally in their quest to see the League One season completed

Peterborough United were one of several sides who were vocal in their belief that the third tier campaign should be completed behind closed doors, rather than curtailed and decided on a points-per-game basis.

Earlier this week, they gave their backing to proposals from Tranmere Rovers which would have seen the League One play-offs extended to include more teams.

And while they had hoped to gain enough support to push through the plans, director of football Barry Fry has now conceded defeat.

“We did get excited because the Tranmere proposal seemed very fair to a lot of clubs chasing promotion and trying to avoid relegation,” Fry said, speaking to the Peterborough Telegraph.

“It also didn’t affect those clubs who want to shut up shop.

“But myself and Bob have rang round the clubs and the support isn’t there. There are 16/17 clubs who say they won’t vote for it.

“There’s no incentive for the teams set to contest a four-team rather than an eight-team play-off and the teams at the bottom are not interested either.

“Tranmere’s proposal includes a 25-team League One next season which means solidarity money would be reduced as it would split 25 ways instead of 24 and clubs reckon they can’t afford that. Clubs are also claiming they would have to pay £90K to help fund the rest of the season and they don’t want to do that.

“It’s a big shame, but at least we had a go. Indeed the passion and commitment our chairman has shown throughout this time has been second to none. I feel for him, his co-owners, the manager and players, and the fans.”

Posh, along with Sunderland, will be excluded from the play-offs under the EFL’s proposed framework to decide curtailed season – which is expected to be passed at a vote on Tuesday.

It will see the league decided on an unweighted points-per-game basis, with a four-team play-off competition deciding the third and final promotion spot.