National League issue a statement on the season

National League issue a statement on the season, leaving fans frustrated, stating that the competitions have been suspended indefinitely.

The National League Board met earlier today and has reviewed its prior decision to suspend the competition until at least 3rd April 2020.

In consideration of the very serious and unprecedented national public health emergency caused by the coronavirus, the Board has taken the decision to suspend the National League, National League North and National League South competitions indefinitely.

The National League is currently obtaining specialist legal advice, is consulting regularly with The Football Association and other stakeholders, and is committed to involving its member clubs in a pending decision on how best to conclude the 2019/20 season.

It comes after all non league football in steps three to seven was ended immediately on Thursday with no promotion or relegation.

More than 100 clubs have sent an open letter to the FA, calling for it to “urgently” reconsider the decision to expunge seasons from the men’s seventh tier and the women’s third tier downwards.

The decision is yet to be ratified by the FA Council.

Fans reacted after the National League issue a statement on the season…

I totally agree with this idea, the following season could be adapted as necessary. The massive sticking point is player contracts and who would be eligible to play for each team…

— The Reynolds Effect (@reynoldseffect) March 31, 2020

If they cancel this season that is a disgrace to Barrow and Harrogate and all other teams after promotion mine included. Chorley you've just won the lottery

— Bill Haynes (@bhaynes190) March 31, 2020

See? Why can’t Step 3 to 6 have done this? The situation is still up in the air. Buy yourself some time and make the right decision rather than just lobbing to whole season in the bin.

— Tim Bullock (@piearce9) March 31, 2020

So today’s meeting went like this pic.twitter.com/X7hWZRl3Nz

— Matt Kirkham (@TownPix) March 31, 2020

In light of this and the fact nobody could have predicted it are you amending the rules & governance so clubs would know what to expect (before the season started) incase this ever happened again?

— Mark Felstead (@MarkFelstead) March 31, 2020

Only 2 options, void season or complete it, you cannot use points per game as teams haven’t played against the same teams so there is no integrity in that, doing PPG or using current positions opens the league up to law suits from clubs currently in relegation places

— Chris Plant (@planty79) March 31, 2020

That’s a shame, but a sensible decision must be made to avoid going down the shameful route the FA have made to void the below leagues. Points Per Game is the best option in my opinion.

— Rio Doherty (@rio_doherty_cfc) March 31, 2020

Common sense prevailed. I support no team in this league but the season has to finish. It was obvs legal suits would follow original decision. The people who run the national league appear a sandwich short of a picnic

— helicopter squad (@helicoptersqua1) March 31, 2020

PPG

— Nathan Freear (@NathanFreear19) March 31, 2020

Well it tells us they have no intention of voiding this season and will wait until whenever to re-start. You can understand the PL with the money involved but it’s obviously not the case here.

— Glen Riley (@GlenSTFC) March 31, 2020

Money, probably. Should be one rule for all!

— Anthony Dutton Carr (@CarrDutton) March 31, 2020

The problem is how do you know they don't hit late season form that gets them out of the relegation zone, it's happened plenty of times.

— Becky Is The Man (@AndrewPage14) March 31, 2020

Points per game average to finish the season is only fair way

— Jamie Stowell (@JSLFCBAFC) March 31, 2020