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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Glen Williams

The EFL letter sent to Cardiff City, Swansea City, West Brom, Leeds United and others outlining bold proposal to finish season

The English Football League has reportedly written to all 71 clubs about the possibility of finishing the season at select 'regional hubs' around the country.

Cardiff City and Swansea City each have nine games left to complete their Championship campaigns, however there are conflicting views over whether to void the season all together or resume it when it is safe enough to do so.

However, it is thought the EFL are insistent on ensuring this season is completed in its entirety.

The Evening Standard report that their preference is for all games - there are 341 outstanding in the three tiers below the Premier League - to take place behind closed doors at each club's respective home grounds.

However, they also report that the governing body on Tuesday wrote to all 71 clubs about the possibility of potentially hosting matches at selected, approved stadia in certain parts of the country.

It is reported they have asked the safety officers at each club to submit an 'operational plan' pertaining to how suitable their grounds are to host matches without fans.

These 'regional hubs', it is thought, will see multiple fixtures hosted at just one venue in each of London, the Midlands, the North East, the North West and the South West, the category in which Cardiff City and Swansea City fall.

It is as yet unclear whether stadia will be split by division or simply region, i.e. whether all of Newport County, Swansea and Cardiff play at one ground or whether the Exiles will have to play at a different South West ground approved only for League Two use.

Similarly, if a South West hub is approved only for the Championship, the two South Wales clubs and Bristol City would likely have sole use of it.

So, for example, Bristol City's Ashton Gate might be the approved ground and Cardiff, Swansea and the Robins might have to play all of their home Championship matches there.

It is thought this plan will help reduce the strain on emergency services and each ground will be far easier to stringently assess as there will be fewer of them.

No decision has been made as yet, however the EFL are thought to be feeling out a number of potential scenarios and want to ensure clubs are ready for when the Government give football the green light to resume.

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