The EFL has stated that promotion and relegation from all three of its football divisions will go-ahead as usual should the 2019/20 season end early due to coronavirus.
It said it would aim to resume the season as with the “existing format” to keep its “sporting integrity.”
The sporting body said that is accepts there are circumstances where the season may have to be ‘curtailed’, like League Two has already been, because of the pandemic but promotion and relegation between all three Football Leagues would be instated.
Stoke City currently sit in 17th in the Championship, three points from the drop zone and 14 points from the play-offs, which would also be kept should the season end early.
Meanwhile in League One Burton Albion are 12th, 16 points from the relegation zone and 11 points from the play-off positions.
If the season was to be brought to an end early, the EFL says final placings would be determined on unweighted points per game.
If play-off games cannot be played the EFL stated that it will “determine the appropriate course of action.”
For a curtailment to the 2019/20 season to occur, the majority of clubs in any division must agree to it, which the League says must be at least 51%.
A spokesperson for the EFL said: “The principle of relegation across all three divisions is integral to the integrity of the pyramid, from the Premier League down to the National League, provided we have assurances that the National League will start Season 2020/21 (i.e. the relegated Club in League Two has somewhere to play).
“Any regulatory solution should be relevant and specific to the current challenges posed by the Covid-19 outbreak and reach a conclusion that is clear and effective with the impact and justifications easy for all stakeholders to understand.”
EFL chairman Rick Parry added: “In the event a divisional decision is made to curtail the 2019/20 season, the EFL Board is recommending that the League adopts the original framework with the amendments as identified, as there is a strong desire to remain as faithful as possible to the regulations and ensure there is consistency in the approach adopted across the EFL in all divisions.
“The Board has always acknowledged that a single solution to satisfy all clubs would always be hard to find, but we are at the point now where strong, definitive action is need for the good of the League and its members.”
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