South Shields' promotion hopes are over as FA Council back controversial decision to end season

Shields were top of the BetVictor Premier Division table and led nearest rivals FC United of Manchester by 12 points but their promotion hopes are now in tatters.

An FA statement read: “The FA Council has today ratified the decision to conclude the 2019/20 season across Steps 3-7 of the National League System, Tiers 3 to 7 of the women’s football pyramid and the wider grassroots game.

“Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, The FA has been working collaboratively with the leagues within the National League System , the Women’s Football Board, the Women’s Football Conference, and the wider grassroots game to identify the most appropriate way to conclude the 2019/20 season at each level.

“The request to end the 2019/20 season was taken to The FA Council by the representatives of the relevant committees having been fully supported by The FA Board.

“The FA Council’s vote today was overwhelmingly in favour of ratifying the decision.”

Ahead of the meeting almost 7,000 people had signed a national petition calling for a controversial decision - that saw football below the National League's three divisions end immediately and results expunged - to be overturned.

The move angered over 150 clubs with South Shields FC helping to lead the charge on behalf of clubs affected and have written to the FA.

The decision, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, means there will be no promotion or relegation in these 91 leagues, angering South Shields fans, players and staff who had seen their side on the verge of promotion.

A nine-page legal letter was sent to the FA last Friday on behalf of three clubs - South Shields, Worthing and Hastings - who represent a further 148 teams in the men’s and women’s game.

However, the original decision – made by committee representatives for the respective leagues and supported by the FA Board – has now been ratified by the FA Council with Shields’ promotion hopes now over.

Chairman Geoff Thompson took to Twitter to hint at a potential legal challenge.

Thompson posted: "I'm clearly disappointed to read the FA Council have ratified the decision to null and void the season for steps 3-7.

"Dialogue already started with numerous clubs regarding next steps. Calls scheduled with lawyers tomorrow."

Laurence Jones, the FA’s Head of National League System, said: “This is an unprecedented and extraordinary time for football, at every level of our game.

“Whilst football is a hugely important part of all our lives, our primary concern will always be for the safety and welfare of clubs, players, staff, officials, volunteers and supporters.

“In recent weeks we have worked closely with committee and league representatives of Step 3 and below to help identify a way through the impact of COVID-19 on football.

“In this instance, the role of The FA is to support as much as possible; we can guide the Leagues on their potential options going forward, offer our support, and to provide clarity where possible. The FA will look to the League and Club representatives on the relevant Committees as they know their Leagues better than anyone else and they will always make decisions that are in the best interest of their Clubs and Leagues as a whole.

“During this very challenging period it’s important that our processes are robust and that we work closely and collaboratively with league representatives to come to a collective decision that’s in the best interest of the wider game.

“Today The FA Council ratified the decisions made by the committee and league representatives to end the 2019/20 season across Steps 3-7 of the National League System, the women’s football pyramid and the wider grassroots game. This ratification was an endorsement that the correct decision was taken across those Leagues subject to the decision.

“The result of today’s vote from The FA Council members was overwhelmingly in favour of ratifying the decisions.

“We know that it is impossible to reach decisions that will please everybody.

“We entirely sympathise with the teams that oppose the decision affecting their leagues, some of which have perfectly understandable reasons for wanting to see the 2019/20 league season continue. But it is important to emphasise that the decisions they took were made in the best interests of all the Leagues, as a collective, and in consultation with key stakeholders across English football.”