Many things have been affected by coronavirus.

There are, of course, causes which are more important than football.

However, for many people football is their passion, hobby and/or career and they believe in the integrity of the game.

 

WHAT’S THIS ALL ABOUT?

Due to coronavirus many clubs, in particular those in play-off positions in the National League North and National League South, find themselves in an ambiguous position, with 79% of the season completed, play-offs confirmed to go ahead but no regulations to protect two promotion places should play-offs be cancelled.

Currently, based on National League resolutions passed on June 17, the National League Board can “modify, restrict, postpone or cancel the Play-Offs”, as they see fit but has not yet committed to guarantee original promotion places in the event of the above.

This has raised a question regarding the protection of promotion places, which relates to football at every level.

 

PETITION

This petition has been created to call for new regulations across football which would #ProtectPromotion in unforeseen circumstances.

The basis of our proposal is as follows;

Create a new regulation (applied to 2019/2020 season and beyond) across all levels of English football, whereby if the season is cancelled and over 75% the way through the below process if followed; 

1.     Original promotion places (as outlined at the start of the season) are guaranteed

2.     League titles, automatic promotion and play-off places are decided on an unweighted points per game basis

3.     If sport resumes (in line with government guidance) then the appropriate teams compete in the play-offs

4.     If play-offs are not allowed to take place, promotions are upheld and decided based on rankings (as determined in point.2)

We want to:

#ProtectPromotion in 2020 and beyond

• Uphold the integrity of the league and ensure decisions are made based on sporting merit
• Guarantee original promotion places, even in unforeseen circumstances, across all leagues
• Ensure regulations are put in place to uphold the integrity of the game if the season is called to an early end
• Protect promotion places that have been hard fought for

 

#PROTECTPROMOTION

Entering into the season, it was assumed that two clubs would be promoted.

If play-offs take place, two clubs will be promoted.

So it is only fair and reasonable that the National League confirm two promotion places will be guaranteed in the event that the play-offs don’t take place.

 

THE OFFICIAL INFORMATION

The English Football League says: “If the Board determines that it is necessary to cancel a Division’s 2019/20 play-off competition, the Board shall determine which one of the four Clubs (in this case six Clubs in the NLN and NLS) that would have participated in that play-off competition shall be promoted to the next highest Division.”

Current information from National League states that : “The National League as a competition should follow the precedent set by the English Football League in respect of League Two…..”

However the National League is not following the EFL in respect to promotion places.

This information has been submitted to the National League as a helpful reminder that the EFL have made a fair and just resolution, which keeps the integrity of the game and is based on the principles of the league.

It is necessary to give the footballing community a platform on which to show their support for these regulations to be put in place to #ProtectPromotion, for 2019/2020 and if any club should find themselves in this situation in the future.