NL board to decide early next week

[frenchmagpie]

Honestly, I'd rather they settled promotion and relegation places over a few games of "Bubble football" matches than on a sheet of paper.

As for the French, it should be pointed out that it was the government who made the decision and that PSG, handed the title, were 12 points clear with a game in hand. In Holland, where the government also made the decision, Ajax and Alkmaar were joint top with 9 games to play, they decided to null and void with no champions but both Ajax and AZ Alkmaar will go into the Champions League qualifying stages, pending ratification by Uefa.

Yes, the French clubs actually had plans in motion to return to training on 11 May when the Prime Ministers announcement stopped them in their tracks. I don't think the Ligue have decided about Champions League etc. or even the end of the season. They have just been told they can't play until September. I guess that still leaves open concluding later this year ?

[Chinawhite1000]

Yes, the French clubs actually had plans in motion to return to training on 11 May when the Prime Ministers announcement stopped them in their tracks. I don't think the Ligue have decided about Champions League etc. or even the end of the season. They have just been told they can't play until September. I guess that still leaves open concluding later this year ?

Nope - PSG have been awarded the title and 2 clubs have been relegated.

[drillerpie]

Just read in the paper that the EFL hopes to finish the Championship, but if not possible will try to hold one-legged play offs to determine who gets the third play off spot.

If that's the template then it sounds like good news!

[frenchmagpie]

Nope - PSG have been awarded the title and 2 clubs have been relegated.

Yes well spotted, decided last night. PPG decided it along with Champions League qualification. Most are sanguine about the title but lots of complaints about relegation.

[BigFatPie]

Yes well spotted, decided last night. PPG decided it along with Champions League qualification. Most are sanguine about the title but lots of complaints about relegation.

I’ve always assumed relegating clubs after an incomplete season would be difficult legally and sportingly. I know I’d have been very upset if we had been relegated with 9 games left to play last season.

Will be interesting if the French league sets any sort of precedent.

[legs77]

Some teams are going to be angry whatever way leagues turn but the fairest way is to reward the teams playing well.

I think this season is a mess but its nailed on rules will now be written in to say if this happened again the table stays as it is or they do a PPG ...nothing is going to be fair as teams at the bottom can find form but there needs to be something in place.

[SwalePie]

Just read in the paper that the EFL hopes to finish the Championship, but if not possible will try to hold one-legged play offs to determine who gets the third play off spot.

If that's the template then it sounds like good news!

Might save 50% in wear on boots and socks too

[drillerpie]

Might save 50% in wear on boots and socks too

Ahah yeah I wasn't convinced by that turn of phrase when I was writing it!

[Chinawhite1000]

Ultimately i think the NL board will issue a "holding" statement early next week along the lines of "subject to confirmation from the EFL on what happens with Division 2 we are proceeding on the basis that play offs will take place" and will then ask the clubs on a format to get to a table to get the play off positions - and that can only reasonably be PPG.
That will effectively just kick the can down the street for another week or so, by which time the EFL may have made a decision - meaning that the NL board doesn't have to...

pretty much what happened....

[Oldstripy]

The outcome of the National League season will be shaped by the English Football League, with no decision made until next week at the earliest.

It follows a board meeting on Tuesday, during which a range of views were put forward by 65 of the 68 clubs that make up its three divisions.

The National League is keen to keep its two promotion places into the EFL.

Meanwhile, a number of clubs do not wish to give up on the possibility of playing the play-offs.

The National League, which brought its season to an early conclusion on 22 April, is unable to make a clear decision until they see what the EFL decides.

For instance, BBC Sport understands if the EFL does not complete its season then Stevenage are likely to avoid relegation, with only one team coming up from the National League.

However, the National League board has not yet ruled out the possibility of expunging all results and following the same pattern as steps three to seven of the non-league system.

As it stands, all matches have to be played before 1 June unless the National League seeks an extension from the FA Council.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52550181

I think the last 3 paragraphs are the most interesting.