Coronavirus: FA confirm season over for leagues below National League level with results expunged
The decision, which includes women's football beneath Championship level, means there will be no promotion or relegation in these divisions
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Your support makes all the difference.The FA have confirmed that the 2019/20 season for all leagues below National League level is over due to the coronavirus pandemic.
All results are expunged, meaning there will be no promotion or relegation from Step 3 downwards.
The decision also covers women’s football below the Women’s Super League (WSL) and Championship level.
The FA also confirmed discussions will continue to find a resolution “as quickly as possible” for the National League, National League North and South, WSL and Women’s Championship.
A statement read: “The NLS and the women’s football pyramid were able to build a consensus amongst their leagues and, where possible, aimed to create a consistent approach across all leagues, whilst taking into account the unique characteristics of each individual league.
“As a result, The FA and NLS steps three to six have reached a consensus that their 2019-20 season will now be brought to an end, and all results will be expunged. This will mean no promotion or relegation of clubs between NLS steps three to six, and no promotion to NLS step two.”
“These are challenging circumstances for English football and all decisions taken are in the best interests of the game.
“Our primary concern will always be for the safety and welfare of clubs, players, staff, officials, volunteers and supporters during this unprecedented time.
“Today’s steps take into account the financial impact during this uncertain period, whilst considering the fairest method on how the sporting outcomes for the season will be decided, with the integrity of the leagues in mind.”
The move will prove especially tough to take for Vauxhall Motors, who had already secured promotion to the Northern Premier League Division One West (Level 8 in the English football pyramid).
The club announced on Twitter: “Despite earning promotion with seven games left to spare, this season has been classified as null and void!”
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