EFL advises its clubs to send their players on holiday now, because there will be no time in August

The clubs have been told there should be no training with players until 16 May at earliest

EFL clubs have been advised to send their players on holiday this month because there will not be time in August, as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

EFL chairman Rick Parry has written to all Championship, League One and League Two clubs to warn them that there will likely be no break between the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons.

The letter also tells the clubs not to restart training until 16 May at the earliest, as well as outlining the EFL’s plan to complete 113 matches in just 56 days to conclude the current campaign.

The current aim is to begin playing these matches behind closed doors in June.

However, the EFL is still planning for the play-offs to go ahead as usual, with two-legged semi-finals and a final in each division.

In the letter, Parry writes: “I know this has been said, but I do believe it is important to reiterate that our primary objective remains to conclude the 2019/20 season when it is safe to resume playing and the options for a return are being kept under constant review.

“As confirmed last Friday (3 April), EFL matches are currently postponed indefinitely and the EFL Board today determined that, to provide a level of certainty, Clubs should be advised not to recommence any training activity with players until 16 May at the earliest.

“Whenever the decision is taken that is safe to resume, we currently estimate that the League will require approximately 56 days to complete the outstanding matches in the season (including Play-Offs) and we are committed to ensuring that Clubs are provided an appropriate notice period to ensure you are able to prepare operationally given the scale and impact of the postponements in place.”

Parry concludes the letter by writing: “We are all committed to getting back to playing the game we love – but only when it is safe to do so, and thank everyone for their patience and understanding at this time.”