Sunderland's League One rival reveals EFL plans and why promoting Rotherham United would be wrong

Sunderland and their League One rivals are not expected to be asked to vote on scenarios to end the season until later this week after an EFL board meeting has taken place on Wednesday, it is claimed.
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Clubs held talks with the EFL on Friday to discuss a range of options, with the Black Cats one of six clubs keen to see the season restart when safe.

Indeed that is the only way Sunderland stand a chance of winning promotion as all the other potential scenarios of using points-per-game tables, weighted or not, would see Sunderland - currently outside the play-offs - miss out.

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Peterborough United’s director of football Barry Fry says League One clubs would not be asked to vote on any further scenarios until after an EFL board meeting on Wednesday.

Sunderland and their League One rivals could find out their fate this week.Sunderland and their League One rivals could find out their fate this week.
Sunderland and their League One rivals could find out their fate this week.

“The League One season will not be declared null and void,” Fry told the Peterborough Telegraph.

“Promotions will be granted. There will be play-offs, but as yet the League One clubs can’t agree on the way forward.

“The EFL board are meeting on Wednesday. They will then present the possible scenarios to the clubs and we will then vote on them later in the week, probably on Friday.

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“My fear is the EFL deciding League One should follow what League Two have done, but that would be wrong as Rick Parry (EFL chairman) has said the Championship, League One and League Two clubs can make their own decisions.

“I know the EFL want to promote Coventry and Rotherham [the current top two] and then have play-offs. I can just about see why Coventry would be allowed to go up, but promoting Rotherham would be wrong.

“They are only two points ahead of two teams and three points ahead of four other teams. Ourselves and Oxford have a better goal difference.

“Rotherham might go on and finish second if we played the season out, but equally they might finish eighth.

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“Different play-off proposals have been made as well. Our chairman has suggested eight teams could be involved, but we will just have to wait and see what happens.”

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