English Football League

The EFL are set to a reject a request from the National League to commit to a vote on granting them three promotion places.SunSport has learned that the matter was discussed at an EFL Board meeting yesterday. The EFL are set to a reject a request from the National League to commit to a vote on granting them an additional promotion placeCredit: GettyThe Board concluded that the promotion and relegation issue should be passed to the clubs for talks at their divisional meetings later this month, with no commitment made to vote at the end of the season.The National League wrote to the EFL earlier this week requesting a vote at their summer AGM so the new promotion and relegation model could be introduced next season. In addition the National League have launched a public 3UP campaign, but have been unable to secure any commitment from the EFL at this stage.The EFL declined to comment, and are planning to write to the National League to explain their position in detail.Read More in FootballAny rule change requires a majority vote from the 72 EFL clubs, including a majority of the 24 in the Championship.The EFL are expected to set out their concerns to the clubs later this month, including the fact that National League clubs are not subject to the same cost control rules.Agreeing the same spending rules is viewed by many as essential before three-up three-down can be introduced, and that will not happen before the end of the season.EFL bosses have previously spoken positively about the idea but a switch would need the formal backing of the clubs.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSNational League chairman Jack Pearce suggested the likely arrival of the Government’s new Independent Football Regulator this summer meant that the EFL had to respond.Pearce said: “The Regulator’s stated objectives include providing financial sustainability, economic resilience and preserving the heritage of the sport. ‘Classless’ – Fans fume as EFL star’s ‘disgusting’ behaviour sparks row that sees manager sent off days after dad died-Locat“In terms of heritage, National League clubs are at the heart of towns and cities across the whole country, with clubs that are part of the fabric of their communities.“An extra promotion place would create an invaluable aspiration for all these clubs and supporters – plus clubs in the leagues below. We simply can’t wait any longer for parity within the game.”Pearce argues that three clubs switching each season would create a “fluid” pyramid while also providing greater opportunity for relegated clubs to “bounce back” into the EFL. More

THE NATIONAL League has urged EFL clubs to back a promotion and relegation switch.All 72 clubs in the National League have signed a letter to EFL chiefs asking them to back a vote of member clubs over changing to a three-up, three-down system between League Two and the fifth tier.A major change to the EFL’s promotion and relegation system has been proposedCredit: HandoutBromley won promotion to the EFL via the National League play-offs last seasonCredit: GettyNational League clubs argue that the current system, where only one club gets automatic promotion to the EFL with a second place available through the play-offs, is inconsistent with the rest of the pyramid.And at a meeting last week which formally endorsed the “3UP” campaign, clubs in the National League’s three divisions unanimously backed the move.EFL bosses have previously spoken positively about the idea but a switch would need the formal backing of the clubs – with those in League Two likely to need more convincing.National League chairman Jack Pearce suggested the likely arrival of the Government’s new Independent Football Regulator this summer meant that the EFL had to respond.READ MORE EFL NEWSPearce said: “The Regulator’s stated objectives include providing financial sustainability, economic resilience and preserving the heritage of the sport.  “In terms of heritage, National League clubs are at the heart of towns and cities across the whole country, with clubs that are part of the fabric of their communities.  “An extra promotion place would create an invaluable aspiration for all these clubs and supporters – plus clubs in the leagues below.  We simply can’t wait any longer for parity within the game.”Pearce argues that three clubs switching each season would create a “fluid” pyramid while also providing greater opportunity for relegated clubs to “bounce back” into the EFL.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe top SEVEN clubs in the current National League table are ex-EFL clubs, with another six who have been in the top four tiers further down the standings.He added: “We have been consistently told that the EFL support our 3UP position in principle but are reluctant to progress any changes whilst they are consulting with the IFR and Premier League regarding their own redistribution of football income.  EFL club owner gives update on new £2bn ‘spaceship’ stadium included in mega plans for state-of-the-art complex “However, we believe the campaign goal is vital to the overall health of the game and the government’s objectives – therefore it should be as high on the agenda as any other matter this year.“Rick Parry, the EFL Chair, has often said that ‘the EFL should look down as well as up’ so we’d now like that to actually happen.” More