Sunderland's fellow play-off contenders slam potential points-per-game solution to settling League One season

Darren Moore says the League One campaign must be declared null and void, if it cannot be completed off the pitch.
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The EFL confirmed last night that it has pushed back the date at which clubs can return to training to May 25th.

Having already told clubs that they believe 56 days are needed to play the remaining fixtures, and with chairman Rick Parry insisting the season cannot continue into August, time is running out.

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There is a widespread expectation that League One and League Two will curtail their campaigns, which will spark a fierce debate about various ‘sporting merit’ solutions.

Phil Parkinson and Darren Moore at the Keepmoat Stadium earlier this seasonPhil Parkinson and Darren Moore at the Keepmoat Stadium earlier this season
Phil Parkinson and Darren Moore at the Keepmoat Stadium earlier this season

Some form of points-per-game calculation looks likely to be proposed but Moore, whose Doncaster Rovers side five points behind seventh-placed Sunderland (with two games in hand), has rejected the any such mechanism being used.

I heard Lee Bowyer speak on Sky Sports and I am absolutely in his camp,” Moore told the Yorkshire Post.

“You cannot say this team could have beaten that team.

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“I don’t care if it is the team at the top who is 20 points clear or the team at the bottom 17 points from safety. It has been proven and is fact that at this stage of the season there are some unpredictable results and that is why we love the game so much.

“To hear that, I cannot understand how we’d get to that [points per game].

“I’d feel really sorry for everyone connected with it for the sport,” he added.

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“I am sitting in a position at Doncaster Rovers where we could potentially have a great chance of getting in the play-offs. Who knows, we have worked hard and fought all season.

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“But if the season cannot be started, it has to be a null and void because how can you surmise and mentally say on a points per game basis that one team would have beaten another team? It is impossible.

“I am not interested in that really, to be honest. I am not interested in someone saying where they think Doncaster could have finished this season. What gives them the right? There’s surely no chance.”

Moore says he will be happy to resume the campaign, providing it is safe to do so.

The EFL last night said it had distributed its latest draft protocols to clubs regarding a return to training when clearance is given to do so, but work is ongoing to formulate the widespread testing regime that would need to be in place.

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“If they call us to come back, I am happy to do so,” Moore said.

“If they decide to cancel, I am happy to as it will not be safe enough to play – simple as that.

“If they turn around and say: ‘the reason why is because we cannot get paramedics to cover it’ that is easy for me – it is not safe enough to do so.

“Whatever they want to use, then for me, it is a null and void for all and we are all in the same boat.”