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EFL set comeback date with games to take place behind closed doors

EFL set a comeback date of June the 6th with a working plan suggesting competitive games are to take place behind closed doors, according to reports.

There has been plenty of speculation over when the campaign will resume but ESPN sources claim that one footballing organisation want to continue with the final quarter of the season in just nine weeks time.

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BREAKING | EFL plan to return June 6th 2020 ⚠️ _ #efl

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Top level football in England and across Europe remains suspended until further notice due to the coronavirus crisis.

And the lockdown has threatened the futures of dozens of lower league clubs, with several fearing going bankrupt.

Football bosses are determined to finish the season, however long it takes, and news of a potential restart date could also lead to the Premier League returning at the same time.

Italy and Spain remains suspended indefinitely, but the German authorities have allowed clubs in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 to return to training in the last few days, with plans in place for games to take place behind closed doors from early May.

All 20 Premier League clubs are to hold a video conference call on Friday to discuss and outline a provisional schedule for the resumption of the top flight in the coming weeks.

EFL are now working towards Championship, League One and League Two matches being played from June 6 onwards after an initial three-week mini pre-season starting on May 16.

The proposal is dependent on the Government, who insist football will not return until it is safe to do so.

If current lockdown measures in the United Kingdom remain in place for another month then the EFL will have to review the situation.

Before the EFL set a comeback date of June the 6th to continue playing the 2019/20 season, chairman Ricky Parry wrote to clubs to tell them that players should not return to training until Saturday May 16th “at the earliest”.

Football League clubs have been advised to give their players time off now in advance of the proposed resumption.

But some clubs intend to send legal letters to their players in the coming days warning them that they leave the UK at their own risk.

One Championship manager told Sportsmail last week: “They will be informed that if they travel abroad while on holiday from the club and can’t get back, then they will forfeit their wages.

“We understand that players, particularly the foreign ones who have been cooped up at home in recent weeks, will want to go and see their families. Of course we get that, but they have to be sure they can get back.

“The lads deserve a break and are contractually obliged to have a holiday anyway.

“But we think there is a risk attached to travelling abroad and we will make sure they understand that.’

Another manager contacted by Sportsmail said his club were looking into similar precautions.

“The bottom line is if we are all going to be back in training next month, the very least we want is for all of our players to be there with us,” he said.

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