Chairman Rick Parry has written an open letter to clubs reiterating that the EFL remains determined to play the 2019/20 campaign to its conclusion and outlining progress towards this aim which has been made this week.
The EFL has previously said it is targeting playing the remaining 113 games in its three divisions over 56 days behind closed doors with June 6th having been pencilled in a for a start.
Players, who have been away from their clubs since fixtures were suspended on March 13th due to the coronavirus pandemic, are due to report back for the start of a mini-pre-season on May 16th.
"Whilst there is still no further clarity on a return of EFL matches, the objective remains to play the remaining fixtures for the 2019/20 campaign at the current 71 EFL grounds,” Parry wrote.
"It is important that any clubs notify the EFL of any issues that may prevent this as soon as possible.”
"Some progress has been made in respect of planning how matches may take place, with draft operational plans put before the board at this week's meeting and incorporating many areas such as: stadium preparation, medical provisions, staffing, media access and, of course, measures needed to ensure the safety of all participants including first-team players and staff, match officials, and everyone else associated with the matchday environment.”
Yesterday it emerged - via a leaked Whatsapp message from Bristol Rovers PFA rep Alex Rodman to his team-mates - that captains and PFA representatives from clubs in Leagues One and Two had been told that the season in those divisions being brought to a premature end was a very real possibility.
Amongst the issues are the cost and number of coronavirus tests - tens of thousands would be needed at £150 each - which would be required at a time when League One and Two clubs are short of cash and tests are in short supply for NHS employees and other key workers.
Parry says that discussions regarding testing are continuing: "Whatever the outcome, we are confident that, at this time, access will not be an issue and the acquisition of supplies will not be at the expense of the country's frontline staff. That simply is not an option for the EFL to consider.”
He added: "In other welcome news, the St John Ambulance service has indicated it would be in a position to work with club medical teams to provide medical cover on matchdays, therefore once again alleviating the concern of increased burden on clubs and frontline services, while the Sports Ground Safety Authority has confirmed that it will assist clubs and local authorities with guidance around the general requirements contained within the Safety Certificate that remain in place and how these may be managed for fixtures behind closed doors.”
The issue of players whose contracts or loans are up on June 30th - midway through the 56-day resumption - was also addressed by Parry.
"As communicated under separate cover from Debbie Birch this week, progress is also being made in respect of player contracts and registrations in place with clubs while, in addition, we await an update from the FA on its discussions with FIFA after submitting a request for an agreement to permit the transfer window to remain open from close of the 2019/20 season, for as long as possible as a ‘one-off’ solution.”
It’s reported that the EFL has proposed various options for clubs as they seek to address this issue - offer the player a new contract, extend their existing contract so it ends at the conclusion of the season or release them on June 30th.
If the latter is the case they would be able to join another club but not permitted to play until the start of 2020/21.
In addition, the EFL is proposing pushing back the date when out-of-contract players can be approached by other clubs from May 16th to June 23rd. In the case of players under the age of 24 clubs would have four days after the end of the season or June 23rd, whichever is earlier, to offer terms in line or better than their current deal.
Also on the table for out-of-contract players is the possibility of being offered week-to-week deals, while some EFL clubs want their existing deals be stretched to the new end of the season but with no additional wages paid, a position the EFL are not against while wanting further discussion.
As things stand the Blues have nine players out of contract, Cole Skuse, Andre Dozzell, Gwion Edwards, Will Keane, Jordan Roberts, Danny Rowe, Harry Wright, Armando Dobra and Brett McGavin, although the club has options to keep them for a further season.
As previously reported, Dobra has all but agreed a new three-year contract which will be signed when he returns to Portman Road, while it seems certain that Roberts will move on.
Loanees Luke Garbutt, Josh Earl and Will Norris's spells are also all up on June 30th. The EFL is set to continue its discussions next week.
The Premier League has released a statement following today’s meeting of its chief executives.
"The League and clubs are considering the first tentative moves forward and will only return to training and playing with Government guidance, under expert medical advice and after consultation with players and managers.
"The League welcomed the creation of the Government medical working group for a return of elite sport, which met for the first time this morning.
"No decisions were taken at today’s shareholders’ meeting and clubs exchanged views on the information provided regarding Project Restart. It was agreed that the PFA, LMA, players and managers are key to this process and will be further consulted.
"The clubs reconfirmed their commitment to finishing the 2019/20 season, maintaining integrity of the competition and welcomed the Government’s support.”