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Exeter and Lincoln managers calls for EFL to make rule change over ‘unfair’ scenario

Exeter and Lincoln managers calls for the EFL to make a rule change over ‘unfair’ scenario relating to the international break.

Gary Caldwell has expressed significant concerns regarding the current EFL rules on match postponements due to international call-ups, particularly in League One.

He argues for an international break to be implemented in the third tier, not just in the Championship, due to the frequent postponements caused by international call-ups.

Caldwell points out that with the quality and international representation in League One, it’s more common these days for teams to have players called up, leading to fixture congestion when games need to be rescheduled.

This situation, he believes, devalues the competition as some teams end up having played more games than others by the end of the season.

Three League One matches were played during the first break of the season in early September, two games were played in the international break last month, and five matches are to be played for the November international break.

EFL regulations state, clubs are eligible to request the postponement of a league fixture if they have three or more players called up for international duty. However, to seek the postponement clubs need to request this at least five clear days before the fixture date.

Exeter said in their statement: “Exeter City’s match against Lincoln City will go-ahead on Saturday, November 16 despite the international call-ups of three players, Josh Magennis, Ilmari Niskanen and Kamari Doyle.

“EFL regulations state, clubs are eligible to request the postponement of a league fixture if they have three or more players called up for international duty. However, to seek the postponement clubs need to request this at least five clear days before the fixture date.

“Due to the late call-up from the standby list for Kamari Doyle to the England Under-20 squad, we have been left no choice but to go-ahead with Saturday’s match against Lincoln with a weakened squad.

“The EFL regulation puts certain clubs at a significant disadvantage, as teams are forced to compete without key players due to the rule not allowing standby list players to count towards the threshold of three international call-ups.”

That has led to a scenario where some teams have played two/three more games than others in the table – with Caldwell calling it unfair.

Exeter met the required threshold of three call-ups for a postponement for this month’s international break, with Josh Magennis, Ilmari Niskanen and Kamari Doyle picked for their respective nations, however, Doyle’s call-up to the England Elite League Squad was made after originally being named on the stand-by list occurred after the EFL’s deadline on Monday.

Caldwell’s call for change reflects a growing sentiment that the lower leagues of the EFL might benefit from structured breaks, which would ensure fairness in scheduling, reduce fixture congestion, and maintain the integrity of the competition.

Caldwell says the fact all League One clubs don’t get an international break regardless is “a joke” – and he wants that to change in order to protect the integrity of the division.

“I think it devalues the league a little bit when you look at the table and some teams have played two and three games more,” he saids to Mirror Football.

“We actually had the three international players [required for a postponement] but the last of them didn’t get picked until Monday, and that’s past the EFL’s deadline.

“Look, we’ve got a fantastic squad and we believe we can win Saturday’s game, but I just think the rules need to change now that League One has become a league that is full of international players.

“I think there were two games [that went ahead] during the last break, possibly three. For me, it’s something the league has to look at to make it fairer on all fronts. Everybody should be in the same boat.

“From a planning point of view, when that game gets changed late it then gives us even more problems in terms of training loads and preparation for the following week.

“Listen, it’s a 46-game season and we know that’s coming, so you have to be resilient. But we don’t know when [the games are coming]. Adjusting the calendar [at short notice] makes it really challenging from a player welfare point of view.”

In the club statement Gary Caldwell added: “As the leading supporter owned club in England, we are used to facing the continual financial challenge of competing against much bigger clubs in League One and decisions like this only highlight the constant challenges that smaller clubs like ours face at this level.

“We will continually meet this challenge through our determined squad, our phenomenal academy success and our amazing fans. It is hard enough to compete against these odds without being penalised by rules that no longer seem fit for purpose in the current financial climate of League One, and call into question the sporting integrity of the league overall.”

Lincoln boss Michael Skubala, also felt the same when giving in his pre-match press conference.

Skubala said: “I think [a break] is something the league has got to look at, if I’m honest.

“I think they have to make sure that, as we have and want more international players in the league, which I think is starting to happen.

“Whether that be under-21s, whether it’s under-20s, whether it’s senior player, it does disrupt things.

“No one wants international breaks, especially when you’re winning games, and you’re in the flow. That’s the last thing you want.

“But, in the same sense, we need to make sure the competition is fair.”

Here’s how fans reacted as Exeter and Lincoln managers calls for EFL to make rule change over the ‘unfair’ scenario…

@DanJHargraves: Have to say I agree at this point. Definitely devalues the competition IMO.

@HDavisDRFC: Think league one and two clubs should have to play on international weekends. They wouldn’t be able to get a game called off because they have three players out injured so why should they be able to for three international call ups

@tomoboyle10: And I’m disappointed to be getting to at 4am for a half 12 kick off hours away but we won’t complain

@Nick_Lawson13: Matches in League One & Two should NOT be re arranged for International call ups. This is getting silly now, on top of kick off times constantly getting changed for tv. No one thinks of the disruption to the fans. Early kick offs, and Tuesday night’s are just not the same.

@JackRee46907065: Get on with it lads

@ryangreenaway: Bit of a joke that players can be called up within a 5 day period but a request for cancellation cannot be. Just shows how disjointed football is. If only there was some organisation that could set rules and manage the game…🤔

@Armson1Simon: Get on with it, Northampton have got 14 injuries and have been playing Saturday, Tuesday for the last 4 weeks. This postponing of L1 and L2 fixtures for internationals is getting silly!!!

@sumsECFC: It’s frustrating, but we’ve got talented players in the squad & this can be their opportunity to stake a claim for a regular spot. It can’t be changed now, but hopefully the EFL can learn lessons going forward with regards to not playing L1 games on international weekends.

@Deutsch_Gills: I mean, I get that you’re not going to field you’re best team but you have a great chance to develop some fringe players here. I dunno – see it as an opportunity.

@Crazy_Kev69: Atleast it gives the other players a chance to fight for there spot in the team. UTC ❤️

@George__LCFC: Moaning for the sake of moaning 😂

@Robecfc12: If we had loads of injuries etc! Then yeh maybe a moan but not when we have the fit numbers we have currently and confidence should be good! Easily winnable game if attitude right! UTC! 👍⚽❤️❤️❤️🇬🇧

@Richardthe7th: Disappointing, however the strength of our squad this season means we’re better equipped to deal with such bumps in the road. A chance for other players to shine 👍 #ECFC

@proudbutnot: The sheer fact that a country can call a player up inside 5 days but the league won’t then consider a request that was perfectly acceptable 3 days earlier is insane.

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