Revealed: The agenda at League One owners summit set to decide Doncaster Rovers' play-off hopes

League One clubs are convening this morning for their weekly conference call with the EFL – with crunch talks over the future of the season set to take place.
(Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)(Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
(Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

And while the contents of such meetings are usually shrouded in secrecy, here’s everything we know about today’s crucial meeting – which could go a long way to determining Doncaster Rovers’ promotion hopes.

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

Representatives of every League One club will be meeting with EFL officials today. This comes after the EFL Board met on Wednesday, before holding talks with government officials on Thursday.

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This conference call in itself is nothing unusual, given that clubs have been holding weekly dialogue with the league since fixtures were suspended on March 13.

But this week’s meeting is set to take on extra significance given that pressure is mounting on the EFL to make clear what will happen with the remainder of the season.

WHEN IS IT HAPPENING?

The meeting is taking place at 9:30am on Friday morning.

WHO WILL BE ATTENDING?

As well as leading figures from the EFL, such as chairman Rick Parry, at least one official from each club will be in attendance.

WHAT WILL BE DISCUSSED?

The Free Press has seen a copy of the agenda for the meeting, with the following points set to be discussed:

- Chairman Update

- Season 19/20 Matters

- SCMP Update

- Other Financial Matters

- Any other matters which Clubs wish to raise

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The future of the 2019/20 season – and when, or if the campaign will be completed – is top of the agenda.

Thursday saw six promotion-chasing clubs release an explosive statement saying they wished to see the season played to a finish.

This meeting will likely give those clubs a chance to put forward their point of view, while other clubs will be able to argue their case for finishing the season.

Potentially ‘sporting merit’ solutions, such as points-per-game, may also be discussed.

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Crucially, this meeting will not only focus on the short-term.

The EFL have been clear in their belief that this crisis should serve as a chance to overhaul the financial situation in the lower leagues, with talk of a salary cap being introduced in League One.

Points three and four on the agenda make it clear that while much of the external focus will be on the season finishing, clubs will also be looking to the longer-term and potential spending restrictions being introduced.

WHAT WILL BE DECIDED TODAY?

The likely outcome is that no definitive decision will be made today.

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There will be no vote held today and, with clubs split over what happens next in regards to the 2019/20 season, an imminent decision is unlikely.

Indeed, many representatives on the call may need to confer with managers, chairmen and owners before deciding their stance.

Much too will depend upon what is decided by the Premier League, Championship and League Two – with fourth tier clubs set for a similar meeting this afternoon.

But while a definitive answer may not be forthcoming today, the future of League One in the short-term is set to become much clearer.