No EFL plan for mini-tournament to decide promotion in Blackpool and Fleetwood Town's division

The league remains committed to playing all outstanding fixtures once it is appropriate to do so.

It was suggested last week that the EFL was contemplating the mini-tournament in its bid to find a way to complete the 2019/20 season.

The premise would be that the top eight in each division could compete for promotion in a smaller-scale competition, ensuring that at least promotion is decided on the pitch.

Had such plans come to fruition, fifth-placed Fleetwood Town would have been involved but Blackpool, who are 13th, would not.

However, The Gazette has learned that the idea is not being considered by the EFL, who remain committed to concluding the season once it is safe to do so.

The idea had already split opinion in League One, with Burton Albion chairman Ben Robinson saying he believed clubs would not back such a proposal.

Robinson told the Totally Football League Show: “It doesn’t seem as though the idea of the top eight teams playing off is going to work. I don’t think the clubs would accept that, probably.

“It’s a tricky thing, isn’t it? You want to try and protect that integrity of promotion and relegation.”

All EFL fixtures have been postponed indefinitely but the league remains confident of completing the campaign on the field.

In its most recent statement, the EFL said: “The position of the EFL remains unchanged in that the priority is to resume the 2019/20 season as soon as it is possible, with matches only returning at an appropriate point and based on guidance from the relevant authorities. The health and well-being of the nation has to come first.”

It has already been confirmed that all fixtures will be played behind closed doors once the EFL does resume, while clubs have been advised not to return to training until May 16 at the earliest.

Blackpool and Fleetwood Town have nine games remaining, both having last played on Tuesday, March 10.