'It feels like there’s a wave towards curtailing the season' - Rotherham United boss makes bold prediction

Sunderland will have to wait another week to learn their League One fate but Rotherham United manager Paul Warne expects a majority of clubs to vote to curtail the season.
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It comes after the EFL announced that it’s proposed framework will not be voted on until Monday, June 8th.

After considering feedback from clubs the EFL board has said that it plans to stick to its framework which, if approved, means any division that votes with a 51% majority can curtail their season, with promotion and relegation settled on a points-per-game formula.

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Sunderland would therefore miss out on a play-off spot, while Rotherham are in line for automatic promotion along with leaders Coventry City if the table is decided on PPG.

Sunderland striker Charlie Wyke battles for the ball.Sunderland striker Charlie Wyke battles for the ball.
Sunderland striker Charlie Wyke battles for the ball.

Clubs have been given until Tuesday to continue submitting any alternative proposals for how the framework could work.

All football has been suspended since mid-March.

Warne said: “I do have a feel which way it will go.

“I think now that the EFL have put their recommendations in place, it feels like there’s a wave towards curtailing the season.

“Clubs understandably have serious financial concerns.

“The Huddersfield Town owner thinks 50 to 60 clubs could hit the wall. In Australia, there’s a report that players might have to take an 80 per cent wage cut.

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“Then there are all the health implications of playing on. It would take a lot of money for clubs to get all the required testing and precautions in place.

“I think that, to help get them through the next few months, clubs will try to retain as much money as they can.

“If you’re a club in a position with nothing to gain from coming back – apart from the word, ‘integrity’, which gets bandied about all over the place – why would you want to come back?

“If you haven’t got any money as a club and you’re in your overdraft why would you take on another debt? I just can’t see it,” he told the Yorkshire Post.

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Earlier in the week Millers chairman Tony Stewart estimated that it would cost League One clubs ‘between £500,000 and £1m’ to complete the season with testing costs, staging games and bringing players and staff out of furlough.

Sunderland have consistently made their stance clear that they want to complete the campaign, especially given it is the only way they stand a chance of winning promotion this season, the Black Cats having dropped out of the play-off places just prior to football being suspended after a four-game winless run.

Football is gripped by uncertainty and there is also no clear indication yet of when next season will be able to start, though they are suggestions league bosses are aiming for a September start if possible.

Clubs in League Two have already indicated a willingness to curtail their season, while the Championship intends to play on with squads set to return to contact training over the next week.

League One clubs are divided, however, ahead of the key vote a week on Monday.