Leeds United and coronavirus - Premier League 'yet to discuss' relegation possibility with clubs

Richard Masters says the prospect of relegation being scrapped in such a scenario is a 'significant topic' that will be 'up for discussion' with clubs, despite the FA's insistence that relegation should take place.

Chairman Greg Clarke has told top flight clubs that removing relegation as an option would not be something the FA would agree to.

But speaking to the BBC, Masters said: "That will be part of the debate we have.

"What would happen in that environment (curtailment of season) is something we're yet to discuss with the clubs."

Masters refused to comment on the FA's stance and would not elaborate on relegation further, until clubs have had their say.

"I can't speak for the FA but obviously they have their own views on it and until we've discussed it as clubs and as a collective we can't really talk further about it," he said.

The EFL have made it clear that they expect promotion from the Championship and relegation from the Premier League to take place.

Clubs in the Football League are to vote on a proposed framework that would see their seasons decided by unweighted points per game, in the event of a curtailment.

Leeds United's perference is to play the final nine games and earn promotion, with Marcelo Bielsa and his players confident they can finish the job, having returned to the top of the Championship with a five-game winning streak before the coronavirus pandemic forced the suspension of domestic football.

Chief executive Angus Kinnear reiterated the club's position this week in his exclusive YEP column.

"If Leeds United wanted to be opportunist we could have seized on this ‘point per game’ commitment to push for an early curtailment in concert with some already very vocal self-interests," he said.

"However, our intention has always been to do all we can to complete this season where we started it – on the pitch. Marcelo and the team are confident that they can continue their rich vein of form into the last nine games and believe that they have earned the right to have the chance to celebrate reaching their goal at Elland Road even though our supporters will only be there in spirit.

"England had some of the finest sports scientists and football administrators in the game and the time has come for us as a sport to stop repeatedly framing the challenges and start delivering on the solution. It would be a national embarrassment if the Bundesliga, La Liga or Serie A were to be able to complete safely and the first and fifth biggest leagues in the world were not able to follow suit if the context remained comparable."