WHEN English Football League (EFL) clubs hold their key conference call today, proposals put forward by five clubs will also be up for discussion.

The purpose of the meeting is to vote on whether the regulations can be changed to allow divisions to end the season early, due to the issues associated with coronavirus.

A simple points per game formula has been put forward by the EFL to decide promotion, relegation and the normal four-team play-off.

Also read: Oxford United hope for 'closure' at key EFL meeting

But clubs were given the chance to put forward alternatives, which will be presented and voted on.

1: Barnsley

The Tykes suggested no club should be relegated from a division which fails to conclude its normal fixtures.

Winners: Although Barnsley are bottom of the Championship, the second tier’s intention to play on means they would be unlikely to benefit.

It would though be popular with Tranmere Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Southend United and Stevenage, who are in the drop zone of divisions likely to cut their campaigns short.

Losers: Anyone in the bottom half of League One may feel at risk next season, when extra relegation places would be required to slim down an enlarged division.

It could also impact on the National League promotion.

2: Tranmere Rovers

Adding a ‘margin of error’ calculation to the points per game formula if the season is cut short.

Rovers chairman Mark Palios said: “You don’t have to look far for examples: in League One last year Wimbledon, Rochdale and Oxford would have been relegated – and Oxford today sit in the play-offs.

“Margin for error was purely an attempt to take into account all of those factors that football people know impact the end of the season.”

Winners: In League One, Tranmere would stay up, while Peterborough United, Sunderland and Doncaster Rovers would be added to an eight-team play-off for two promotion places.

Losers: Rotherham United would also be dragged into the play-offs, instead of being promoted automatically.

3: Lincoln City

An amendment relating to how points deductions are considered in any calculation of PPG.

Winners: It would help give Macclesfield Town, who could be hit with another deduction, more insurance at the bottom of League Two.

Losers: Even with a bit of help, Bolton Wanderers would still be well short of staying up.

4: Stevenage

The basement side argue there should be no relegation from League Two if the fixtures are not completed.

Winners: Stevenage and Macclesfield Town.

Losers: The clubs still fighting for promotion from the National League.

5: Ipswich Town

The Tractor Boys argued the board should consult with clubs over alternative play-off formats if a normal season is not completed.

Winners: Similar to the clubs in the Tranmere proposal and, coincidentally, potentially Ipswich Town themselves.

Losers: Every other club not involved, given it would extend the process while more discussions were held.

Others

There were other ideas put forward which were not drafted as proposals.

Lincoln argued a weighted points per game formula would be fairer.

That would have seen Oxford United finish third, rather than fourth, while Peterborough United would be involved in the play-offs rather than Portsmouth.

The other suggestion was even better for United, with Ipswich’s idea of taking the table after 22 games.

That way every club had faced the rest of the division once – under that approach Karl Robinson’s men finished second.