UEFA update offers hope to Leeds United's promotion push

UEFA HAVE given a strong recommendation to finish domestic top division and cup competitions as Leeds United's Premier League promotion push remains on hold.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Premier League and EFL seasons remain suspended due to the ongoing battle against coronavirus and social distancing measures with United's promotion charge halted with the Whites top of the Championship.

Leeds hold a seven-point cushion in the division's automatic promotion spots with nine games left but with no clear indication of when or even if the season will be completed or resumed.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The EFL, though, have already stated their intention to complete the season in full and play all remaining fixtures within a 56-day period in the summer months as long as it is safe to do so.

UPDATE: From UEFA as Leeds United's promotion push remains on hold. Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images.UPDATE: From UEFA as Leeds United's promotion push remains on hold. Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images.
UPDATE: From UEFA as Leeds United's promotion push remains on hold. Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images.

The assumption is that games would be staged behind closed doors with the EFL earmarking May 16 as a potential date for clubs to return to training.

As part of the ongoing discussions as to how seasons can be resumed and resolved, UEFA held a meeting on Tuesday with its 55 member associations via videoconference and again stated their desire to complete seasons in full.

UEFA did, though, say they acknowledged there could be special cases of individual leagues seeking to take another course of action and wrap up campaigns without every game being fulfilled.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A statement released by UEFA on Tuesday afternoon read: "UEFA today met its 55 member associations via videoconference and presented an update of the options being looked into by the two working groups that were created mid-March.

"A variety of calendar options were presented covering both national team and club competition matches.

"The funding of National Associations through UEFA’s HatTrick programme was also discussed with UEFA reiterating its commitment to meeting the payments to member associations as planned.

"There was a strong recommendation given to finish domestic top division and cup competitions, although it is understood that there may be some special cases.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"With this in mind, UEFA is currently developing some guidelines concerning participation in its club competitions, in order to assist its member associations in case of a cancelled league or cup.

"Any developments on the above topics would be announced after the UEFA Executive Committee on Thursday."

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead.

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty.

So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time.

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes - from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004

Thank you

Laura Collins

Editor

READ MORE: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/opinion/were-therewithyou-now-your-yep-needs-your-support-too-laura-collins-yep-editor-2521777

Related topics:

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.