EFL provide key update to Championship season and Leeds United's promotion bid

The English professional game was put on hold over the first full weekend in March after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi both tested positive for coronavirus.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has since put the country on lockdown with strict social distancing guidelines in place and the Premier League and EFL seasons were extended indefinitely by the FA.

Action was suspended until at least April 30 but with officials quickly becoming aware there was no chance of play this month and with UEFA working towards resuming leagues in July.

The continued hiatus and prospect of the country taking six months or longer to return to normal as advised by deputy chief medical officer for England Dr Jenny Harries has raised concerns that the EFL programme could be written off and declared null and void.

Leeds are just nine games away from potentially returning to the Premier League for the first time since 2004 with Marcelo Bielsa's Whites top of the Championship and having a seven-point cushion in the division's automatic promotion spots.

But the EFL had already stated their desire to see their divisions properly completed by fulfilling all postponed games at a later date and the point has again been emphasised by a statement released on Friday afternoon.

The statement reads: "As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the EFL, Premier League, FA and Barclays FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship has today collectively agreed to postpone its football competitions until it is safe to resume.

"Football is committed in supporting the Government’s efforts in tackling the COVID-19 outbreak and the staging of football matches in this country. It is clearly something that simply cannot happen at this time.

"The thoughts of everyone associated with the EFL and its member Clubs are with anyone currently affected by the Coronavirus.

"The situation will be kept under constant review with matches only returning at an appropriate point and based on the latest guidance provided by the relevant Government departments and health authorities.

"The EFL also notes and appreciates the decision taken today by the Premier League in respect of the short term financial relief it is to provide EFL Clubs through the advancement of solidarity payments, parachute payments and Academy Grants.

"These actions will have a positive impact on individual Clubs across our three divisions at a difficult and uncertain time."