Sunderland's League One campaign on brink of curtailment after EFL proposals 'overwhelmingly' agreed

League One clubs will now meet this afternoon to hold a vote on whether or not to curtail the campaign.

A 51% majority of clubs is required, and it is expected that this threshold will be comfortably met.

In the event that the season is curtailed, the table will be settled on a points-per-game formula.

Automatic promotion and relegation will remain in place, while the play-offs will be contested by four teams.

Sunderland will finish eighth and be condemned to a third season in League One.Their slim promotion hopes rested on an alternative proposal by Tranmere Rovers, which involved settling the table on points-per-game basis, before applying a ‘margin of error'.

Under this scenario, Sunderland would have been invited to take place in an extended play-off campaign.

As widely expected, this proposal was defeated on Tuesday morning.

A proposal by Barnsley, which would have meant no relegation in any division after a curtailment, was also defeated.

EFL chairman Rick Parry said: “Whilst it has always remained the Board’s position to play the remainder of the season where possible, the decision reached at today’s meeting follows a full and considered consultation period with our member Clubs.

“The Board has endeavoured to listen to all views and alternative approaches but understands that the decisions taken will not be met with universal satisfaction from all Clubs.

“Today’s outcome ensures that the League and its Clubs remains as faithful as possible to the previously agreed Regulations and that there is consistency in the approach adopted across the EFL in all divisions if required.”

“It is clear that the challenges facing the League from the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic are unprecedented and I thank the contribution of EFL Clubs in making this important determination.”

An EFL statement added: “Clubs in Leagues One and Two will now meet by division later today to formally determine whether to resume playing the 2019/20 season or opt for curtailment. The Championship Clubs restart their season on 20 June.”