Walsall all set for crunch EFL summit

Representatives from the club will join a conference call with the other 23 League Two clubs and heads of the governing body.

The EFL board held a meeting on Wednesday and released a statement following it, revealing that clubs have been instructed not to return to full training until May 25 at the earliest.

But it’s believed that the current League One and League Two seasons are in doubt and are unlikely to conclude on the pitch.

Reports said that a vote on ending the season, and then how to determine relegation and promotion, was due this week – however the EFL have not responded to those claims, instead insisting that they will ‘continue to undertake consultation’ with their clubs.

It’s understood that Walsall have not been informed of a vote to end the season ahead of today’s meeting.

With May 25 now revealed as the earliest date for clubs to return to full training, it’s unlikely that fans will see the League Two campaign resumed this season as the league would need to return no later than June 6 to fit into the EFL’s 56-day plan to finish the season.

Clubs would not have enough time from May 25 to be ready to resume playing by early June.

A lack of funds is a major obstacle for clubs in the lower two leagues to restart the season – particularly when it is estimated Premier League clubs will spend a combined £4million on testing their players for coronavirus.

In addition, around 1,400 players across the three EFL leagues are out of contract on June 30, with many of them plying their trade in League One and League Two. Their availability in July is uncertain and clubs may be forced to pay extra if the season is played out. If time is called on the season, many clubs will avoid paying additional bonuses and appearance money.