'They might have to reconsider': Sunderland's rivals call for EFL to consider this fixture congestion solution

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Peterborough United boss Darren Ferguson believes that the EFL should explore the possibility of extending the League One season – as fixtures continue to tumble.

Along with Sunderland, the Posh are one of several sides who have scarcely kicked a ball in anger during December owing to various COVID-19 outbreaks across the division.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And with half of the scheduled festive fixtures in the third tier having been postponed, Ferguson believes that an extension to the season should be explored by the governing bodies.

He isn’t, however, expecting it to be an avenue explored by the EFL.

Peterborough United manager Darren FergusonPeterborough United manager Darren Ferguson
Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson

"We are looking at playing 14-15 games in 42 days,” explained Ferguson, speaking to the Peterborough Telegraph.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“That will be the same for a lot of clubs. We have four so far to rearrange, but Covid cases are piling up so it’s tough to get everything sorted.

“It’s not just us. Most of the other League One clubs are in the same boat. There are so many games to rearrange it’s quite complicated.

“The EFL would be wise to consider an extension to the League One season, I don’t think they will, but if games keep getting called off they might have to reconsider.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The important thing is to get the season finished, but for everyone to stay safe while it happens."

Meanwhile, Rochdale’s club doctor believes it is ‘not the wisest thing’ for football to be continuing at the moment.

Speaking to the BBC, Dr Wes Tensel said: "In the middle of a pandemic and the spread and all that's going on - the numbers are rising - and the fact that we've got these tier four places where people can't travel but footballers can go in and out and take things back to their family, I think it's probably not the wisest thing at the moment.

"The players are human like everyone else.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"There's lots of other careers and jobs where people are unable to work, people in the arts, people being furloughed. So why should football go on when they can't and the disease is still spreading at the rate it's spreading?"

A message from the Football Clubs Editor:

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Sunderland AFC coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of SAFC coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor