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      Why are League One and League Two still playing during the World Cup?

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      THE EFL announced that League One and League Two are continuing their fixture schedules as normal while the World Cup takes place in Qatar.The European top leagues will be suspended as footballing stars travel to the Middle East to compete for the trophy.
      Qatar has been hit with World Cup feverCredit: Reuters
      England will be hoping to return home as champions despite falling to defeat in Euro 2020’s final and the semi-final of 2018’s World Cup.
      The break will see the Premier League and Championship pause their action, but League One and League Two will continue the season.
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      Why are League One and League Two still playing during the World Cup?
      The EFL released a statement, confirming that the Championship will be paused during the World Cup group stages, but revealed that League One and League Two fixtures will be unchanged for now.
      Plymouth have been impressive in League One this seasonCredit: Rex
      The statement wrote: “Match round 16 in the Championship, set to take place on Saturday, November 12, will be the final round of fixtures played ahead of the call-up period for the tournament, which begins on Monday, November 14.
      “The Championship will resume on December 10 2022 following the culmination of the World Cup group stages, whilst League One and League Two fixtures will continue as normal.”
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      This is due to the fact that teams in League One and League Two are less likely to be affected by the international tournament, with Championship and Premier League teams more likely to have players playing in Qatar, called up for international duty and absent for their clubs.
      However, it was also revealed that individual fixtures in League One and League Two could still be postponed, subject to international call-up criteria being met. More

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      EFL considering AXING 3pm TV blackout with Facebook, Netflix, Google, Apple and Amazon keen on buying rights

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      THE EFL is considering AXING the 3pm TV blackout in order to broadcast every game.And it’s already setting up a bidding war, with parties like Netflix and Amazon keen on buying the rights to matches.
      The EFL is considering lifting the 3pm blackout so they can broadcast every gameCredit: Getty
      The EFL’s current TV rights deal expires at the end of the 2023/24 season.
      Just like the Premier League, there is a blanket ban on broadcasting all 3pm matches on Saturdays.
      But chiefs are now ready to lift the veil and make every single game in the Championship, League One and League Two available for live TV.
      The EFL currently pockets £119million each year through its contract with Sky.
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      But chiefs reckon that figure could soar to an annual figure of £200m by allowing other parties to join in the action.
      The Mail claims invitations will soon be sent to Netflix, Amazon, Facebook, Apple and Google regarding future rights.
      The mega-names will be asked to send proposals as the EFL explores its options.
      But there will be no fixed contract as the plan is to televise every single match from the 2024/25 campaign.
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      The EFL’s decision is set to be welcomed by most sides, with just two Championship games currently shown each weekend.
      But the move would first have to be approved by the FA.
      And they in turn will then have to go to Uefa before the idea gets the green light.
      Should the EFL succeed, it could open the door for some in the Premier League to push for a similar broadcasting deal. More

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      Grimsby fans fume as League Two match against Crewe postponed due to clash with Man City U21s

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      GRIMSBY fans have been left raging after their League Two clash with Crewe Alexander was postponed due to Manchester City’s U21s being away on international duty.Man City’s youth side had their EFL Trophy clash with Derby – scheduled for September 20 – postponed.
      Grimsby fans have been left furious after the postponement of their league matchCredit: Rex
      They made this request due to 18 of their squad being called up for international duty.
      This had a knock-on effect as the fixture was re-arranged for October 18.
      And with three of the four remaining Tuesdays in October being taken up by the UEFA Youth League, it means Man City’s game with Grimsby will be pushed into November.
      And that has led to the EFL postponing Grimsby’s home league game with Crewe.
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      The Football Supporters’ Association tweeted: “Grimsby’s upcoming League Two fixture against Crewe Alexandra has been postponed because, in a bizarre set of events, Man City’s U21 side has too many internationals in it – the first time we know of a senior men’s game in the EFL being called off because of an U21 side.”
      This is the first time ever that a senior men’s league game in the EFL has been postponed due to a Premier League’s U21s side.
      And the Mariners Trust – a supporters group for Grimsby – slammed the decision, insisting the game should instead be re-arranged for Tuesday, November 15.
      They said: “Grimsby Town fans are rightly angry that a fixture has been allowed to be rescheduled and then postponed a matter of weeks later when it could all have been avoided if, as it seems, rules of the competition were adhered to.
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      “What consultation was taken with either Club and was more weight given to Manchester City in this scenario, as fans seem to feel is the case?”
      They then went on to add: “The integrity of this competition further declines.
      “It seems apparent to fans, unless you can state otherwise, that the wishes of an invited team have been held in higher regard than an EFL league game and indeed the actual rules of the competition.
      “Grimsby Town and Crewe Alexandra fans have been impacted by other teams’ unavailability and that doesn’t seem right.”
      Both the FSA and Mariners Trust say they have approached the EFL for an explanation regarding the fixture rearrangement. More

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      EFL clubs could scrap plans to move games earlier to avoid using floodlights amid fears matchday revenue will take hit

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      EFL clubs are hurriedly working out if early kick-offs can save them money on using their floodlights.But cash counters seem to think it will cost even MORE to change games radically.
      EFL clubs are concerned about racking up huge bills with their flood lightsCredit: Rex Features
      The cost of living crisis has prompted the EFL to contemplate having more early kick-offsCredit: REX
      Some EFL clubs are dead against the idea while others who plan to try are unsure it will help.
      As revealed here months ago, clubs face energy bills which have doubled or trebled.
      There is leeway to change kick-off times and some are planned — but many think it will mean fewer fans and a big financial hit at bars and food stalls.
      One leading official said: “Moving kick-offs by two or three hours will impact crowds.
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      “It would only take 50 fewer people and that would be up to £1,000 gone for ONE game.
      “And that would be inevitable as home supporters would be lost and even more away fans could be disrupted by having to travel earlier.
      “Fans also take food and drink at games and they are less likely to booze before noon.
      “So the finances don’t add up. It might be better facing the pain of the fuel bills.”
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      One radical proposal that could see EFL clubs get a cash injection is the addition of a Premier League All-Star match, which new Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly reckons would have a trickle-down effect.
      The American said earlier this month: “Ultimately, I hope the Premier League takes a little bit of a lesson out of the American sports teams and really start to think about why don’t we do a tournament with the bottom four teams.
      “People are talking about why don’t we have more money for the pyramid?
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      “MLB did their All-Star Game this year. They made $200 million from a Monday and a Tuesday.
      “You could do a North vs South All-Star game from the Premier League to fund the pyramid very easily.”
      But the idea has been met with much derision among rival Prem managers and owners.
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      EFL sides look at lunchtime kick-offs during the winter to save on energy bills with teams desperate to cut costs

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      EFL CHIEFS are considering the possibility of increasing the amount of lunchtime kick-offs to help lower-league clubs amid the cost of living crisis.A new survey from football reform group Fair Game has found that midday kick-offs for weekend league and FA Cup games would be considered by the majority of clubs in the EFL and the wider football pyramid as a way of cutting costs.
      Many clubs are considering lunchtime kick-offs in a bid to aid with the cost of living crisisCredit: Arron Gent/News Images
      Many believe that staging earlier games would help to reduce energy bills as the use of floodlights would not be necessary.
      Although the government has pledged to support businesses with rising energy costs, it is currently unclear whether or not this will benefit football clubs for a sufficient period of time.
      Overall, 63 per-cent of 40 clubs – including 12 EFL teams – have revealed that they will consider utilising earlier kick-offs if given permission.
      Clubs rated their concern about the cost of living crisis at seven out of 10, with League Two clubs considering it an eight out of 10.
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      This has prompted many to re-evaluate budgets for ground improvements as well as non-playing staff.
      Amid the financial crisis, Premier League clubs are currently preparing to hold further talks over a new financial distribution model to support the rest of the football pyramid.
      The plan is expected to include changes to parachute payments and a new merit-based payment system to Championship clubs.
      Changes to the domestic calendar from 2024 are also expected to be considered with many clubs pushing to axe FA Cup third and fourth round replays despite the fact that many lower-league clubs have benefitted from them over the years.
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      Fair Game chief executive Niall Couper has now demanded that action be taken to financially aid clubs in need.
      He said: “The results paint a very bleak future for football outside the top echelons of the game.
      “Having survived the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis could well be the death knell for the hard-working community clubs lower down the pyramid.
      “Lower-league football clubs are the heartbeat of their communities, but right now they are in intensive care.
      “The Premier League are at best going to offer a sticking plaster. They have had decades to address the problem and they should stand aside.
      “It is now up to the Government to intervene. The recent fan-led review set up by the Conservative Party revealed the financial flow within the game, and the governance that sits behind it, is broken.
      “Fair Game are calling for action now. We were promised levelling up, instead we could see the levelling of football stadia across the country with decades of history and tradition wiped off the map.
      “The Government needs to deliver on its promise of an independent regulator now. A regulator that can oversee football’s financial flow. Without it the pyramid of our national game will crumble.”
      Plans for an independent regulator for football have stalled following the appointment of new Prime Minister Liz Truss.
      But, clubs have been handed a boost as the government have proposed to cut energy bills for UK businesses by around half their expected level.
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      The new scheme will fix gas and electricity prices for firms for six months from October 1, protecting businesses from rapidly rising costs.
      This would shield many clubs – especially non-league – from entering a cost crisis. More

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      EFL and National League clubs to be allowed to call off matches if they clash with England or Wales’ World Cup fixtures

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      EFL and National League clubs will be allowed to call off matches if they clash with England and Wales’ World Cup games.A full schedule of fixtures is planned over the weekend of December 3 — when the Home Nations could be playing in the last 16 in Qatar.
      EFL and National League clubs will be allowed to call off matches if they coincide with England or Wales games at the World CupCredit: Reuters
      Gareth Southgate is aiming to lead England to glory in QatarCredit: Reuters
      Rob Page has been handed a new contract after guiding Wales to the World CupCredit: Alamy
      EFL and National League bosses both said clubs can decide whether they rearrange, though it is possible a collective decision could be made.
      England and Wales are in Group B with Iran and the USA — and feasibly both teams could progress.
      The top two to qualify will face rivals from Group A.
      That World Cup group is made up of hosts Qatar, Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands, Sadio Mane’s Senegal and Ecuador.
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      Wrexham are due to visit York in the National League on the Saturday.
      But the Welsh side will likely postpone if Robert Page’s Dragons are in a first World Cup knockout game for 64 years.
      Then the next Saturday night could also see England or Wales play in the quarter-finals — hours after domestic games have finished.
      Argentina and France are both possible opponents for that one.
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      Although the leagues say they will expect teams to fulfil fixtures that day.
      England kick off their campaign against Iran on the opening day of the tournament, while Wales face the USA on the same day.
      The Three Lions take on the Dragons in their final group game. More

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      Man Utd star Marcus Rashford watches Barrow’s 2-0 win over Doncaster and poses for photo with young fans

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      MARCUS RASHFORD has been pictured watching League Two side Barrow and taking photos with young fans. The Manchester United attacker sat in the stands as the Bluebirds beat Doncaster 2-0.
      Barrow fans were shocked to see Marcus Rashford in attendanceCredit: https://twitter.com/OurBluebirdsFly/status/1569777177784115200
      Marcus Rashford is looking back to his best on the fieldCredit: EPA
      A supporters group called Bluebirds of Holker Street shared a picture on Twitter of Rashford taking a selfie with some children.
      The tweet thanked him saying: “What a guy Marcus Rashford is, brilliant taking time for a photo with the kids at the soccer.”
      Fans of Man Utd and Barrow were quick to praise him for mixing with the community and supporting a local club.
      One said: “There is genuinely people out there who hate this man. Top guy.”
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      Another reacted: “Wow. What a man.”
      More followed as another commented: “Legend.”
      Rashford responded himself to the post saying: “Nice to meet you guys.”
      This is not the first time the England ace has been seen trying to give back to the local area of Manchester and the North, where he grew up.
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      He has set up campaigns to help the homeless at Christmas, visited victims of the Manchester bombing and teamed up with charity FareShare.
      He is well-known for his work in 2020 that tackled food poverty in the UK, eventually influencing the government to give free meals to children in poverty during the pandemic and school holidays.
      On the pitch things are getting better for Rashford as he netted twice in United’s most recent victory over Arsenal.
      It seems like he is regaining his confidence again under the guidance of Erik ten Hag.
      Rashford’s night at Barrow comes as reports suggest he won’t jet off to Moldova for Man Utd’s Europa League tie versus Sheriff Tiraspol. More

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      Watch touching moment Mansfield release 96 white doves in honour of the Queen after minute’s silence

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      MANSFIELD released 96 doves after a minute’s silence and the national anthem in a touching moment before tonight’s game.The Stags hosted Carlisle in League Two – their first match since the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II aged 96 last Thursday.
      Mansfield released 96 doves – one for each year of The Queen’s lifeCredit: Twitter
      The birds were let into the sky after the minute’s silence and national anthem

      The EFL called off all of their matches over the weekend as a mark of respect to Her Majesty.
      But they resumed their fixture schedule this evening with the Championship, League One and League Two action.
      There was a minute’s silence before all 30 EFL matches as football paused to remember the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
      Players also wore black armbands – just as Tottenham and Liverpool did in the Champions League.
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      But at Mansfield’s Field Mill, following the silence, the club also invited supporters to join in singing the national anthem, God Save The King.
      Then club director and funeral director Paul Brown released 96 doves into the Nottinghamshire dusk – each one representing a year of The Queen’s remarkable life.
      One fan said: “Brilliantly observed and well organised MTFC. Fans are a credit to the club.”
      On the pitch, it ended goalless as Mansfield missed the chance to leapfrog Doncaster into the final play-off place.
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      However, there was drama as one of the goal nets broke in the top corner.
      Stags grounds staff were unable to reach the problem so had to get Carlisle goalkeeper Tomas Holy to tape the net up in bizarre scenes. More