EFL: Premier League B teams, 'non-English' clubs ruled out of league reforms News

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EFL: Premier League B teams, 'non-English' clubs ruled out of league reforms

By Daily Sports on September 23, 2016

Premier League B teams and 'non-English' clubs will not be included in plans to reform the structure of the English Football League.

In May, it was revealed that the EFL, formerly known as the Football League before a rebrand this summer, could expand to include a fifth tier by 2019-20, with 100 teams over five divisions.

It is planned that additional clubs would come from the National League.

EFL clubs met to discuss the proposals for the first time on Thursday.

The exclusion from the plans, which will be voted on by all clubs in June 2017, of extra clubs from non-English leagues would appear to remove any prospect of Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers being involved in the EFL in the foreseeable future. Welsh clubs Cardiff and Newport already compete in the EFL.

Meanwhile, the idea to include Premier League B teams in any restructure which formed part of the Football Association commission's four-point plan to boost English football, has also been rejected.

"The logical place for many was to source the additional teams for League Three from the National League," EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey said.

"We will now continue our consultation with the National League with a little more certainty as to what any change could mean for them."

This season, the Checkatrade Trophy has included under-21 teams from Premier League and Championship clubs for the first time on a trial basis, something which the "overwhelming majority of fans" are against, according to the Football Supporters' Federation. (bbc.co.uk)

•Photo showsHull City of England after gaining promotion in May

Source Daily Sports

Posted September 23, 2016