LEAGUES One and Two will be called off next week when the 47 clubs vote to end the season with immediate effect.
The EFL executive committee have been canvassing teams in the two lower divisions for their views on trying to complete the campaign.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus in sport live blog for the latest news & updates
EFL chairman Rick Parry is believed to not want to scrap the seasons for League One and Two clubsCredit: PA:Press Association
And the vast majority believe there is no chance of reaching the finishing line and want to focus on planning for next season.
EFL chairman Rick Parry will host a video conference meeting to rule out the idea of declaring the current season null and void.
Then clubs must decide how to calculate the final tables to determine promotion and relegation issues.
A number of proposals have been put forward, but the most likely option is to work out the table on the basis of points-per-games played.
That would mean Wycombe, who are currently eighth in League One but with a game in hand on all the teams above them, jumping up to third.
And with the play-offs being scrapped, that will be enough to secure them promotion to the Championship.
Swindon will also jump above Crewe to win the League Two title due to their game in hand and Cheltenham move up to fourth, now a promotion spot.
But Parry is desperate to avoid any kind of costly legal challenge and is hoping for an overwhelming consensus of opinion in the vote.
Clubs are understood to be unable to pay soon-to-be-out-of-contract players until the season concludesCredit: PA:Press Association
With 106 fixtures still to be played in League One and 112 in League Two, the EFL has reluctantly conceded defeat in the battle to get back on tracks.
They have not been included in the Government’s Project Restart.
And with many clubs currently in furlough, they are not in any shape to make a quick return to football.
The major consideration has been the cost of completing the season behind closed doors.
Hundreds of players in Leagues One and Two will be out of contract on June 30 and would need to receive extra wages to continue playing beyond that date.
And clubs simply cannot afford to pay those fees after eight weeks of lockdown.
Salford co-owner Gary Neville said: “I’m 99 per cent sure League One and League Two will not play again this season.
“We know the measures the Bundesliga and the Premier League are putting in place to allow football to happen and it’s going to cost a lot of money.
“We’re talking millions of pounds to invest in health and safety protocols and Leagues One and Two can’t fund that.
“You’ve also got added complexities that 50 per cent of players at this level are out of contract in two months and clubs don’t want to pay them beyond then.
“I think there’s also a lack of willingness at League One and Two levels to take all the economic risks.
“There will be no fans in the stadiums and you’d have to pay players appearance and bonus money, which the clubs haven’t got.
“The only way football could happen in Leagues One and Two is if our friends in the Premier League were able to fund us.
“But I’m not sure they’re going to look after us when they have their own ships to get in order at the moment.”
The 24 Championship clubs will not participate in next week’s vote and are still hoping to finish their season.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS – STAY IN THE KNOW
Don’t miss the latest news and figures – and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun’s Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.
To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page.
Get Britain’s best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – find out more.
But one League One chairman told SunSport he thinks some clubs will err towards the null and void option.
He said: “It’s only the clubs who are in promotion positions or ones with a chance that want the season to continue.
“Others with nothing much to play for and ones that are under threat of relegation are happy to cancel the season now.”
Give now to The Sun’s NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
www.thesun.co.uk/whocareswinsappeal
Ex-Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand says Premier League restart won’t satisfy every club
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
