The EFL has proposed a change that would see the Championship play-offs adopt a different format, increasing the number of teams involved and adding a new round.
EFL clubs to vote on change in March(Image: Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The Championship play-offs could be expanded to six teams after the FA approved a vote that will take place next month. EFL clubs will give their opinion on whether to change the traditional format in an extraordinary general election on March 5.
An EFL proposal that emerged in September would add a knockout round as seen in the National League play-offs. This would allow the teams that finished seventh and eighth in the championship to participate in the play-offs and would give an advantage to those who finished third and fourth.
The Guardian reports that the FA recently approved the EFL’s request to make the change, despite opposition from the Premier League. Top flight managers fear a possible drop in level if, for example, the team that finished eighth were promoted along with first and second.
All that is needed to confirm the change is a majority among the 24 Championship clubs and an overall majority among the 72 EFL clubs – 13 and 37 votes in favor respectively. The new format would be implemented next season.
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The EFL is reportedly confident the change will be approved. Officials have consulted with clubs since the idea was first floated at a championship divisional meeting in September.
In the proposed format, which is slightly different from that of the National League, the fifth would host the eighth and the sixth would host the seventh in single playoffs. The two winners of the knockout round would face the second and third place teams respectively in a two-legged semi-final.
This is unlike the National League, where all play-off games have been single games since the 2017-18 season. A final at Wembley would then be used to determine which team is promoted to the Premier League.
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The vote comes amid another possible change in the EFL. National League clubs have been campaigning to increase the number of promotion places to League Two. Currently, only two teams are promoted (one automatically and one via the play-offs) to replace the same number coming, but the National League’s 3UP campaign has gained significant momentum this season.
Last week, an EFL spokesperson said: “Earlier today, the EFL board considered recent correspondence received from the National League regarding its 3UP campaign. Following discussion, the board agreed that the most appropriate way to move things forward was to further discuss alignment requirements with clubs at the all-club meeting in March.
“The league maintains that this is not a single-issue matter and requires detailed consideration of the other related issues and regulations at play, and close cooperation and constructive dialogue across the pyramid.”
The same majority as the Championship play-off vote would be needed to approve the change.
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