Championship June 20 restart boost for Leeds United and Barnsley

The news is a huge boost to Leeds United, who are keen to complete the 2019-20 campaign, and to bottom-of-the-table Barnsley, for whom it represents their best chance of avoiding relegation. It is less positive for Hull City, who have been the most high-profile opponents of a resumption, and will thrust them into a relegation battle with Huddersfield Town and Middlesbrough amongst others.

Clubs could also have nine substitutes to choose from in each match, with five available per game.

Championship clubs returned to training in small groups last Monday and seven days later they are set to vote on a return to contact training.

Matches will be played behind closed doors, but work is continuing to make them available to supporters.

“We are working with our broadcast partners, EFL Championship clubs and all relevant stakeholders to broadcast the remaining 108 games plus Sky Bet Championship play-offs either live on Sky Sports, iFollow or a club’s equivalent streaming service,” said Football League chairman Rick Parry.

“We must stress that at this stage the date is only provisional and will only be confirmed once we have met all the requirements, as the health, safety and well-being of all participants, staff and supporters remains our top priority. ”

All Championship teams have nine matches to play, and as well as completing the regular season, the League also want to complete the play-offs before the end of July. This normally involves two two-legged semi-finals, and a Wembley final.

Leeds are top of the Championship, seven points clear of the play-off places. Barnsley are seven points adrift of Hull, the team directly above the relegation zone. Like the Tigers, Middlesbrough are two points clear of the relegation zone, with Huddersfield a point better off.

The League has said if the season cannot be completed they want it promotion decided on a points-per-game basis, which would send Leeds up and Barnsley down.

Early in May, Parry said the League could not play on beyond the end of July for contractual reasons.

League Two clubs have decided to abandon their regular season, although they will still aim to complete the play-offs, while League One clubs are undecided. A decision by them, plus approval for the fourth tier's suggestion, are due on June 8.

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