Hatters face a nervous wait to see if Championship clubs will vote to end 2019-20 season

Luton Town face a nervous wait to see if they will get the chance to fight for their Championship survival after the EFL confirmed that promotion and relegation will still take place this season.

A statement from the EFL board released after a meeting held yesterday (Wednesday) revealed they will not simply declare the campaign null and void due to the coronavirus outbreak, should the leagues decide to curtail the season.

Instead, the table will be determined on unweighted points per game, a system that would see the Hatters, currently second bottom, drop down into League One along with Barnsley and Charlton Athletic.

However, for that to happen, 51 per cent of the division need be in agreement, with Town chief executive Gary Sweet already declaring his intent for the final nine games to be played.League Two have already expressed their desire for such an outcome, but a decision for the Championship and League One is expected sometime next week, as the statement said: "The EFL board met yesterday to consider the feedback and subsequent implications of last week’s divisional club meetings, as the League continues to address the many complex financial and operational matters resulting out of the COVID-19 crisis, including how the 2019/20 campaign is concluded.

"The various proposals and counter proposals received from clubs have been reviewed and, as a result, the board has finalised the draft framework that would be adopted into EFL Regulations, in the event that a division is to make the decision to curtail its season as League Two indicated last Friday.

"Clubs are now required to give the matter further consideration, before the board formally proposes the appropriate Regulation changes, which will then be voted on by all clubs.

"The recommended framework is as follows:

"1. Resuming the 2019/20 season with the existing format remains the most appropriate course of action from a sporting integrity perspective, but the board accepts there are circumstances that may lead to curtailment (as has been demonstrated with League Two) or a situation subsequently transpires whereby the season is unable to conclude.

"2. This means that, in the event of an early curtailment: a. Final divisional placings should be determined on unweighted points per game (if required); b. Promotion and relegation should be retained; c. Play-offs should be played in all circumstances but should not be extended (beyond four teams).

"3. If a scenario arises whereby the play-offs cannot be played, the EFL board will determine the appropriate course of action.

"4. The board considers that the majority required to curtail the 2019/20 season in any division should be 51%. Determining whether or not to curtail the season is a decision for each division to take.

"5. The principle of relegation across all three divisions is integral to the integrity of the pyramid, from the Premier League down to the National League, provided we have assurances that the National League will start season 2020/21 (i.e. the relegated club in League Two has somewhere to play).

"6. Any regulatory solution should be relevant and specific to the current challenges posed by the COVID-19 outbreak and reach a conclusion that is clear and effective with the impact and justifications easy for all stakeholders to understand. "

EFL chairman Rick Parry added: "In the event that a divisional decision is made to curtail the 2019/20 season, the EFL board is recommending that the League adopts the original framework with the amendments as identified, as there is a strong desire to remain as faithful as possible to the regulations and ensure there is consistency in the approach adopted across the EFL in all divisions.

"The board has always acknowledged that a single solution to satisfy all clubs would always be hard to find, but we are at the point now where strong, definitive action is need for the good of the League and its members.”