Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony has released a statement he has been asked to relay on behalf of six clubs - including Town - who want League One to be played to its conclusion ahead of a conference call tomorrow.

It’s understood that Leagues One and Two are almost certain to be brought to a premature end with most clubs favouring curtailing the campaign with many unable to afford to stage games behind closed doors or the cost of the large number of coronavirus tests which would be required.

MacAnthony has threatened legal action if the division is cut short and placings, relegation and promotion are decided by one of a number of proposed methods. Peterborough are sixth, three points from the automatic promotion places.

In a series of tweets, McAnthony wrote: “I have been asked to relay this message on behalf of Oxford United, Fleetwood Town, Portsmouth, Sunderland, Ipswich and Peterborough United to the EFL and the media ahead of the Sky Bet League One meeting tomorrow morning.

“We as a collective are united in our goal to finish this season. We have no desire for voiding the season, PPG [points per game] scenarios/letting a computer decide our footballing fate.

“For our fans/staff and for the integrity of our sport we are all looking forward to completing our pending fixtures/season under guidance from the EFL at a time it is deemed safe to do so. Thank you for your time.”

Marcus Evans has written a letter to the @EFL which reiterates the Club's desire to complete the season. #itfc https://t.co/calispX3YC– Ipswich Town FC (@IpswichTown) May 14, 2020

Town, 10th, seven points from the play-offs, have always maintained their preference for the campaign to be played to its conclusion and owner Marcus Evans has written a letter to the EFL reiterating that stance.

As previously reported, League One clubs are set to hold a conference call on Friday morning where the future of the 2019/20 campaign will be discussed, although with formal confirmation of its anticipated early end not expected until next week.

Meanwhile, the EFL and Premier League have been given the Government OK to resume the season in June.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden hosted a video conference with the chief executives of the Premier League, EFL and FA earlier today.

The football authorities were also told to agree a deal with the TV companies to facilitate the screening of free-to-air games.

***Breaking News*** I have been asked to relay this message on behalf of @OUFCOfficial @ftfc @Pompey @SunderlandAFC @IpswichTown @theposhofficial to the @EFL & the media ahead of the our @SkyBetLeagueOne meeting tomorrow morning -– Darragh MacAnthony (@DMAC102) May 14, 2020

Fixtures/season under guidance from the EFL at a time it is deemed safe to do so. Thank you for your time.– Darragh MacAnthony (@DMAC102) May 14, 2020

Photo: Action Images

GatesPerm added 10:19 - May 15 If the majority of League 1 and 2 clubs do not want to finish this season behind closed doors because they can not afford to then this must mean that the 20/21 season cannot start until mass gatherings are allowed in sports stadiums. It's very hard to see that happening before the year end and potentially not before a vaccine is widely available.
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Razor added 10:45 - May 15 There is no fair and easy solution to this and are the six clubs mentioned the ones with wealthy owners who can afford to take the risk. If we wait till it is 100% safe then we will not see anything for ages. Lets see how the Germans get on and I wish them all the luck in the world.
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portmanteau added 10:51 - May 15 We all know anything can and does happen in football. This is a lifeline which I think Town players would grab with both feet. Also are we going to see the Bundesliga show us how to do it while we apparently cannot organise ourselves ?
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runningout added 11:27 - May 15 I only care for ITFC.. We aren't going anywhere fast so at the mo don't give s stuff for rest of sad football
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dirtydingusmagee added 11:45 - May 15 YAWN ,this is farcical , Liverpool champs, Nobs relegated, nobs fill the gap left by Bury .
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dirtydingusmagee added 11:50 - May 15 our form after international breaks has always been crap, cant imagine we will come back like things possessed after this time out .
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robpontin added 13:14 - May 15 Anyone saying just end it now and complete the season on average points is dumb, we don't know when it will be safe to play again fully, when will next season be? what if next Jan it's all safe to go back to playing with crowds we have to wait till August for football? just because this decision was rushed, wait until we know when we can go back properly or when next season is starting and make a choice then.

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strikalite added 16:57 - May 15 Penalties, hear's why... 1. Use five players per side. 2. easily televised. 3. Each shoot will only take max 30 mins ish 4. social distancing of players is easy. 6. Players don't have to be match fit, injury not an issue 7. You could play it at any venue. 8. Games can be settled like this, so why not now? What's not to like? :)
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