Executives of clubs in the Championships have been approached over a potential rule change which would see changes made to the competition’s end-of-season promotion play-offs
The Championship could expand its play-offs from four teams to six as part of a radical English Football League (EFL) shake-up. It would mark the first change to the system in more than 30 years, potentially giving teams which finish as low as eighth a chance to earn promotion.
If approved, the amendment would see the Championship follow the example of Italy’s second tier, Serie B. There, the teams finishing between fifth and eighth currently enter a play-in round, with the winners of those ties progressing to two-legged semi-finals against the teams in third and fourth.
According to The Athletic , the idea was presented by Preston North End chief Peter Ridsdale at an early September meeting and echoes earlier suggestions put forward by former Crystal Palace and Bristol City chief executive Phil Alexander more than 20 years ago. The same publication indicates that it was ‘very well received’ among executives informed of the proposals.
The National League already uses a six-team play-off system, though all its matches are one-legged affairs. Under Ridsdale’s proposals, the semis would continue to be played over two legs ahead of a one-off final at Wembley.
If the new idea is put into place, the Championship would see the change first. However, there is also said to be an openness to making the expansion for League One and League Two.
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Last season, Championship play-off winners Sunderland finished 14 points behind third-placed Sheffield United in the regular season. The team in eighth, Millwall, were a further 10 adrift.
In recent seasons, the teams in seventh and eighth have often been just one win away from the points tally of the sixth-place finisher. There have been notable exceptions, though.
Back in 2021-22, five points separated sixth-place Luton and Middlesbrough in seventh, while the previous season saw a seven point gap between sixth and seventh. The case has been made that the new proposals could reduce the number of dead rubber games during the season.
The Championship has held end-of-season play-offs since 1987 in its previous guises as the old Second Division and – between 1992 and 2004 – the First Division. In 1990, the format changed from a two-legged final to a one-off game, though play-off systems in countries such as Italy and Spain still play two-legged finals.
If the proposed expansion is to come into force in England, it would need the approval of the FA Board. The Athletic reports that it is some way off this stage right now, with the EFL yet to put in place a formal vote of its own, but the publication points to anonymous Championship chiefs who it says support the plan.
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