Jermaine Beckford sees just two solutions in Leeds United's promotion bid and suggests play-offs 'lucky dip'

Marcelo Bielsa's Whites sit top of the Championship with a seven-point cushion in the division's automatic promotion places but with the Premier League and EFL season indefinitely suspended due to the global fight against coronavirus.

The EFL have declared a desire for their remaining fixtures to be played when it is safe to do so at an appropriate point based on the latest guidance provided by the relevant Government departments and health authorities. UEFA are hoping for a return to action in July or August.

But with no real way of knowing just how long restrictions such as social distancing measures will be in place to combat COVID-19, Beckford feels the season may inevitably have to be ended with the former Whites striker staunchly against suggestions that divisions should be declared null and void.

"I think there's only really two viable options," Beckford told the YEP.

"The first one, if the league is cancelled because we can't see when we are going to get over this whole coronavirus issue I think the season should either be cancelled and the standings as they are are the ones that should be set for next season.

"It means Liverpool winning the Premier League and all the spots stay as they are with the Champions League and Europa League in the Premier League.

"Teams that are in those relegation places now should be relegated.

"I know it's not a nice situation but we are in unprecedented times.

"I think that in the Championship, it should be the standings that they are with promotion.

"It's difficult with the play-offs but I am going to go out on a limb here and say do a lucky dip with the four teams that are in there.

"Each team has a number and you have a lucky dip to determine who progresses into the final with another lucky dip for who wins the final.

"We are in times where nobody really knows what is going to happen and what answers there are going to be so why not try and have a little bit of fun and enjoyment with it and do the same so on and so forth further down the pyramid.

"The second one would be to just wait it out but with that situation we don't know when the end is going to be in sight so that's more of a dream situation if I'm honest.

"Being more realistic I think the season should just be scrapped from here and the league standings stay as they are."

Several leagues around Europe have already been finished early with the Belgian Jupiler League taking Beckford's suggested approach and ending the season prematurely but without relegation.

On the non-league front, all divisions below National League North have seen their seasons written off and declared null and void.

"That would be scandalous," said Beckford, asked if the same could happen in the EFL and Premier League.

"I genuinely and honestly don't think that should be a viable option, I really don't.

"If you think about it, if the whole season gets null and voided, all the TV revenue that has come in, all the transfers that have come in January, they shouldn't be allowed to stand.

"All of that TV revenue money, close to a billion pounds possibly across all leagues - who is going to take the hit for that?

"I am sure someone is not going to want to just say alright we will just write off a billion plus pounds."

Reflecting on the possibility of playing behind closed doors, Beckford admitted: "I'm not a fan if I'm honest. I don't like that idea because the games just seem like friendlies then.

"It doesn't seem like they are a genuine competitive game.

"You can get set up and ready for them as much as you possibly can, you can prepare for them the best way you can but when you step out at Elland Road, that atmosphere is one of the most intimidating atmospheres you are going to ever encounter and just not Elland Road.

"There are lots of clubs out there in the UK across all divisions that will use the energy they get from the fans for their benefit and that has been something we have been able to master and perfect over the years."

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