The vote on the start date for the League One season has been delayed due to Premier League dallying, according to a club director.
Bristol Rovers and their rivals were expected to learn on Wednesday when next season will begin.
As previously reported, the EFL are currently deciding between two potential start dates for the 2020/21 season with August 29 and September 12 set to be voted on by clubs. The latter appears to be the consensus choice.
The deadline for that vote was due to be tomorrow, but the ballot is now expected to take place on July 24.
“It’s incredibly frustrating, but we’ve now been told we won’t hear anything about a start date until July 24,” Peterborough United's director of football Barry Fry told the Peterborough Telegraph.
“The Premier League and the FA are still talking with the EFL about cups and all sorts.
“It’s driving our manager Darren Ferguson up the wall as he can’t plan properly for next season.
“It can’t start any later than September 12 or we’ll never get the fixtures in. If we start on September 12 it will be six months between competitive matches for us.”
September 5 has not been considered as a start date because that weekend is set aside for international fixtures.
Clubs in League One and League Two could, however, play the first round of the Carabao Cup on that date, as Rovers' CEO Martyn Starnes revealed in Friday's digital fans' forum.
A start date of September 12 would see the 2020/21 season begin six weeks later than usual, with 11 midweek matched required to finish the season on time.
