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Andy Ha

UEFA release fresh statement on plans to end season as Leeds United await Championship decision

UEFA have reiterated their desire to complete domestic seasons and cup competitions across Europe, but confirmed that special cases would be considered to cancel leagues.

All football across the continent has been postponed following the coronavirus outbreak, with Champions League and Europa League ties still to play.

The European Championship, which was due to start in June, has also been pushed back to 2021.

In a statement, the European governing body confirmed that a decision would not be made until after a meeting of the Executive Committee on Thursday.

"UEFA today met its 55 member associations via video conference and presented an update of the options being looked into by the two working groups that were created mid-March," the statement read.

"A variety of calendar options were presented covering both national team and club competition matches.

"The funding of National Associations through UEFA’s HatTrick programme was also discussed with UEFA reiterating its commitment to meeting the payments to member associations as planned.

"There was a strong recommendation given to finish domestic top division and cup competitions, but some special cases will be heard once guidelines concerning participation to European competitions - in case of a cancelled league - have been developed.

"Any decisions on the above topics would be announced after the UEFA Executive Committee on Thursday."

In England, the EFL have emailed clubs laying out a radical plan to complete the season in a 56-day period between June and August.

Clubs in the Championship plus Leagues One and Two have been told not to resume training before May 16 at the earliest by EFL chief Rick Parry.

And then all games - including the playoffs - would theoretically be played over eight weeks to decide which clubs are promoted and relegated.

Matches are expected to be played behind closed doors initially with the UK currently still in lockdown amid the ongoing pandemic.

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