Non-league divisions brought to an end and results expunged, FA announces

Number of men's and women's leagues now null and void...
Sleaford Town versus Lutterworth in the United Counties League earlier this season.Sleaford Town versus Lutterworth in the United Counties League earlier this season.
Sleaford Town versus Lutterworth in the United Counties League earlier this season.

The Football Association has announced that a number of leagues have been brought to an end, with their results expunged.

Following the Coronavirus outbreak, football has been suspended in England.

With some clubs looking increasingly unable to fulfil fixtures, the decision has been made to bring a halt to a number of divisions.

The National League system (from steps three to six) will have all results expunged, meaning no promotions or relegations between these divisions and no promotions to step two.

Step three includes the Northern Premier League, Southern League (Central and South) plus the Isthmian League.

The United Counties League Premier Division is among the step five divisions and Division One step six.

Step seven includes the Lincolnshire League and Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division.

An FA statement read: "The NLS and the women’s football pyramid were able to build a consensus amongst their leagues and, where possible, aimed to create a consistent approach across all leagues, whilst taking into account the unique characteristics of each individual league.

"As a result, The FA and NLS steps three to six have reached a consensus that their 2019-20 season will now be brought to an end, and all results will be expunged.

"This will mean no promotion or relegation of clubs between NLS steps three to six, and no promotion to NLS step two.

"These decisions will also apply to the leagues and clubs who play at NLS step seven."

No decision has yet been made about the National League's three divisions, plus the Premier League and EFL.

Local leagues have, however, also been brought to a conclusion.

The statement added: "Furthermore, we can now confirm that we have decided that all grassroots football is concluded for the 2019-20 season.

"This will allow the game to move forward and to commence planning for next season.

"Our County Football Associations (CFAs) will be supporting grassroots leagues over the coming days to determine how they should close out their current competitions."

While no decision has yet been made about this season's FA Women's Super League and FA Women's Championship, other women's leagues have also been brought to an early conclusion.

"The FA and the leagues within tiers three to seven have reached a consensus to bring the season to an immediate end and all results will be expunged," the statement added.

"This will mean no promotion or relegation of clubs between tiers three to seven.

"Agreement has also been reached to end the Regional Talent Clubs season, which was due to conclude in April 2020."

The future of this season's FA competitions are currently being reviewed.

The statement said: "With the 2019-20 Emirates FA Cup, Women’s FA Cup, Buildbase FA Trophy and Buildbase FA Vase all at advanced stages, we are reviewing all options as we seek to complete these competitions whenever it is safe and appropriate to do so.

"Clubs involved are close to reaching a major final and for those clubs and supporters we will do all we can to keep the Wembley dream alive.

"In respect of The FA Youth Cup, The FA County Youth Cup, The FA Sunday Cup and The FA Inter-League Cup, we are also seeking to complete these competitions if it is feasible to do so."