The Championship's top six sides are reportedly ready to launch legal challenge against the Premier League should chiefs decide to declare the season null and void.
According to The Times, Leeds United, West Bromwich Albion, Fulham, Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Preston North End have held a secret emergency meeting to discuss their position, amid suggestions from certain top flight clubs that the season should be scrapped altogether due to the effects of the coronavirus outbreak.
Reports suggest that all 24 clubs, including Cardiff City and Swansea City, are set to meet via conference call within the next 24 hours.
The EFL has suspended all action until April 3 due to the chaotic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, but there are already doubts over whether the season will be able to resume by then.
That has thrown the future of the current season into grave uncertainty, but the Championship's top six are believed to be keen on finding a solution that will allow remaining fixtures to be played, even if it means delaying the start of the 2020/21 season.
They also want the Championship to be given the usual three places for promotion, seemingly rejecting suggestions that Leeds and West Brom are promoted to take part in a 22-team Premier League.
Leeds' managing director Angus Kinnear has already claimed that the preference among clubs is to finish the current campaign.
He said: "From our perspective, we think it is vital that it is completed. I think there is a growing sense across the football family that this is the right thing to do.
"It is difficult to speculate on timelines and now is the time for patience and cool heads. I think for the integrity of the football pyramid and the financial security of the clubs, finishing the league is the right thing to do."
His comments come ahead of a UEFA meeting on Tuesday that is likely to result in the postponement of this summer's European Championships, which would potentially give more breathing space to Europe's top leagues should they wish to finish the season.
