Walsall's League Two season over as clubs agree to finish early

All 24 fourth-tier sides met with EFL chiefs over conference call this afternoon to discuss the future of the 2019/20 campaign – where they all agreed that their 'preferred direction' would be to end the season prematurely.

The EFL proposed a 'framework' that would see promotion and relegation upheld and the league table to be determined via an unweighted points-per-game system – meaning no extra 'weight' is given to home or away fixtures.

The framework also confirms that the play-offs will be concluded with two-legged semi-finals and a final to determine the final promotion place.

Following the EFL's proposal on determining the league, all 24 League Two clubs agreed that it is their 'preferred direction of travel'.

However, the clubs asked the EFL to suspend relegation to the National League because the fixtures could not be completed.

The EFL has said it will now consider the position of the clubs at its next board meeting, which is expected next week.

Walsall and their fellow 23 League Two clubs are awaiting further direction on when a vote will be held.

In terms of relegation, Stevenage occupy the only relegation place and are three points off Macclesfield, but have a game in hand.

An unweighted points-per-game system would see them relegated.

With a decision yet to be made on promotion in the National League, and with Barrow four points clear at the top of the table, the governing bodies will need to take into account who fills the Football League spot leftover by Bury – and whether relegation will happen at all.

Using the agreed system, Swindon would be champions with Crewe and Plymouth joining them in automatic promotion to League One.

Walsall, who are currently 14th in the league, would finish 12th.

The Saddlers were on a good run of form up until the league was suspended in March, having gone five games unbeaten and picking up impressive wins over Forest Green Rovers, Northampton Town and Exeter City.

Although League Two came to an unanimous agreement, clubs in League One were unable to find common ground and there will be now be 'a further period of reflection and consultation to understand what creative solutions could be implemented'.

Meanwhile, Walsall and the rest of the League One and League Two will this weekend receive more information on a proposed salary cap set to be implemented across the Football League.

Clubs in the English Football League are looking at a £200m financial hole as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the competition’s chairman Rick Parry.

Several suggestions have been made on how to improve the game when it does return, with a salary cap for clubs being touted as a way of ensuring clubs are financially sound.

A working group has been appointed to consider cost controls with the EFL eager clubs receive their salary cap proposals by Monday at the latest.

Parry told the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee last week that a salary cap and other cost control measures were “absolutely essential”.

“There is a lot of debate going on about that at the moment,” he said.

“We have an imbalance in the distribution, we have the parachute payments which cause immense stress within the Championship so yes I do think the distribution model is a problem.

“Any model where wages are 106 per cent of turnover is ridiculous.”