BREAKING: Non-League seasons are declared null and void thanks to COVID-19 outbreak

There will be no promotion or relegation at levels three to seven of the non-league pyramid after the Football Association's Leagues Committee decided to declare the 2019/20 season null and void.
No more football will be played in non-league this season.No more football will be played in non-league this season.
No more football will be played in non-league this season.

With seasons at those levels already having been terminated, it means all playing records will be expunged and all divisions will most likely begin next season with the same constitution. It is unclear as to whether the plans to disband the East Midlands Counties League will continue.

The leagues affected include the Northern Premier League Premier Division and its feeder divisions, the Midlands Football League, the Northern Counties East League Premier Division and Division One, the East Midlands Counties League and Central Midlands League.

A statement from the FA read: “Today’s steps take into account the financial impact during this uncertain period, whilst considering the fairest method on how the sporting outcomes for the season will be decided with the integrity of the leagues in mind.

“The FA and NLS [National League System] steps three to six have reached a consensus that their 2019-20 season will now be brought to an end, and all results will be expunged. This will mean no promotion or relegation of clubs between NLS steps three to six, and no promotion to NLS step two.

“These decisions will also apply to the leagues and clubs who play at NLS step seven.

“We will continue to assist and support the National League (NLS steps one and two) to determine the outcome of its 2019-20 season as quickly as possible. The planned implementation of the restructure of the NLS will also now be deferred until the start of the 2021-22 season.

“Furthermore, we can now confirm that we have decided that all grassroots football is concluded for the 2019-20 season. This will allow the game to move forward and to commence planning for next season. Our County Football Associations (CFAs) will be supporting grassroots leagues over the coming days to determine how they should close out their current competitions.

“Where appropriate, the above decisions will be put to The FA Council for ratification.

“Throughout this period we continue to seek guidance in respect of the government’s financial support packages relative to COVID-19 and how they are applicable to clubs in the NLS, the women’s football pyramid and the wider grassroots game.”

The National League are yet to comment on how steps one and two of the NLS will be decided, with the Premier League and English Football League also considering their next move.

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