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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Jack Rosser

FA grants National League season extension with play-offs a possibility

The Football Association has granted the National League permission to extend its season beyond the usual May date, meaning play-offs could be held.

National League football has been suspended since March 16 and, last month, clubs voted to curtail the regular season.

However, it has not yet been decided how the final standings, promotion or relegation will be decided, or whether the three divisions will be declared null and void.

Proposals on how to end the season are yet to be voted on by clubs, though the National League board now has the breathing space to include play-offs in any plan.

Ending the normal season meant clubs who were not going to be involved in the play-offs were given the financial security afforded by being able to release players from contracts, without the fear of not having a squad should the games return.

The National League's decision will have significant ramifications for the outcome of League Two.

Clubs in the Football League's lowest tier had pushed for relegation to be taken off the table as part of their plans to end the season, with the EFL pushing back on their request.

The National League voting to hold the play-offs would apply further pressure on those above to accept relegation.

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