Deadline today if Blackpool or Fleetwood Town wish to amend EFL proposals for ending season

The EFL’s ‘recommended framework’ was published on May 21 and received the unanimous backing of the EFL Board last week. The clubs have until 2pm today to submit any alternative proposals.

Once that deadline has passed, the EFL is expected to officially convene a meeting of all EFL clubs for next Monday to consider its framework and any amendments.

The framework proposes that if 51 per cent of clubs (12 of the 23 in League One) vote to play no more fixtures, the final league table would be based on unweighted-per-game (PPG) averages, with promotion and relegation taking place.

The top two (Coventry City and Rotherham United) would be promoted automatically, with teams finishing third to sixth contesting play-offs.

Fleetwood would drop a place to sixth under PPG and would meet third-placed Wycombe Wanderers in the play-off semi-finals (Oxford United and Portsmouth would contest the other semi).

If the play-offs cannot go ahead, the EFL would decide how to resolve the season. The League’s framework also reaffirms that “relegation across all three divisions is integral to the integrity of the pyramid”.

The EFL has stated that such a framework would need to be approved by “all of its member clubs across all divisions” before the clubs in League One could make a final decision on whether to curtail their season.

The League has stressed its ‘preferred’ option is to complete the season on the field.

Tranmere Rovers chairman Mark Palios says his alternative framework for ending the English Football League season “reflects the wishes of the majority of clubs”.

Palios, the former FAchief executive, has indicated his club will submit their proposal to the EFL ahead of today’s 2pm deadline.

Tranmere’s proposal includes PPG but adds a margin of error, whereby teams could only be automatically promoted or relegated if they remain in a promotion/relegation position after the margin of error is applied.

This system would open up the opportunity for more teams to compete in the play-offs if they wished to – the EFL is proposing to restrict play-offs to the customary four clubs.

Palios confirmed he is working on the proposal ahead of submission and said: “We’re trying to effect a compromise as close to the EFL’s position but iterate our original proposal to reflect the wishes of the majority of clubs and achieve a fairer solution that football people will recognise as such.”

Under the unweighted points per game model, Tranmere would be relegated. The Wirral club are three points behind AFC Wimbledon in 21st with a game in hand. Wimbledon have said their preference is to bring the season to “a swift end” to remove ongoing uncertainty.

Six League One clubs, including Fleetwood Town, have expressed a desire to play on but time appears to be running out to restart the season, with clubs having not even returned to small group training and the EFL stressing the difficulties of extending the season beyond next month.

Palios’ model may appeal to clubs who could keep their promotion hopes alive via an extended play-off tournament.