Big update on Leeds & West Brom joining 23-team PL after BBC obtain leaked call - Sources

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Published on:

01 May 2020, 1:30 am

Leeds United and West Brom and other promotion hopefuls are on new alert over a possible 23-team Premier League next season but it's an option that's unlikely to get off the ground, Football Insider understands.

The possibility of a no-relegation-and-restructure option has gained new traction after BBC Sport obtained a recording of Wednesday's call between Football League club, EFL and PFA representatives.

One proposal mooted was no clubs relegated and two or three clubs promoted from the Championship, with those chosen to go up calculated on a merit-based scoring system.

Were a 23-team top flight to come to fruition, six clubs would then be relegated in 2021-22.

There is also the view that by going for such an option the competition closes the door on any incredibly costly legal challenges.

A Premier League source has told Football Insider that a 23-team league is not considered a viable solution to the coronavirus pandemic that has caused such chaos to the English game.

Such a plan would need the support of the top-flight clubs and there is no appetite for six more matches in an already heavily congested fixture list.

It is said that a 23-team league is being considered were the current campaign to be ended prematurely, effectively allowing next season to kick off on time behind closed doors.

It has also been suggested that the League Cup would be scrapped for one season to ease the strain on the football calendar.

However, there remains a strong determination from chiefs to do everything possible to push for the season to be completed.

Leeds and West Brom are well clear at the top of the Championship with nine matches remaining.

Third-placed Fulham are six points adrift of Slaven Bilic's side and seven behind league leaders United, who have won their last five games in the competition.

In other Leeds United news, it can be REVEALED that Newcastle's takeover spells bad news for the Elland Road club.

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