Luton look set to return to Championship action on the weekend of June 20 – but they will have to squeeze the last nine Championship games into a month.
More than three months after football was suspended because of the Coronavirus pandemic, the EFL has set its target for a return to second flight action following a government announcement on Saturday which allowed elite sport to return behind closed doors.
The return date is subject to the strict proviso that all safety requirements and government guidance is met; and that the Hatters receive clearance from Luton Council and Bedfordshire Police in order to stage matches at their home ground; and likewise for their league rivals.
But, to avoid any potential issues with promoted and relegated clubs, after the EFL committed to completing the campaign to a similar timetable as the Premier League, which returns on June 17, it means that Town face a packed programme in which to beat the drop, with the Championship Play-Off Final pencilled in for July 30.
Luton still have to face Preston (h), Swansea (h), Leeds (a), Reading (h), Barnsley (h), Huddersfield (a), QPR (h), Hull (a), Blackburn (h).
The EFL are considering changing the regulations to permit the use of five substitutes in the remaining fixtures and, also increasing the match-day squad from 18 to 20 players, with discussions continuing with Luton and other Championship clubs this week.
EFL Chair Rick Parry said: “With Sky Bet Championship Clubs set to return to full contact training later this week and following Saturday’s Government announcement, we are edging closer towards resuming the 2019/20 EFL season. We have therefore today consulted with the Board’s Championship Directors and agreed to fixtures restarting behind closed doors on 20 June.
“Whilst matches will unfortunately have to take place without supporters, we are working with our broadcast partners, EFL Championship Clubs and all relevant stakeholders to broadcast the remaining 108 games plus Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs either live on Sky Sports, iFollow or a Club’s equivalent streaming service.
“We must stress that at this stage the date is only provisional and will only be confirmed once we have met all the requirements, as the health, safety and well-being of all participants, staff and supporters remains our top priority.
“Clearly completing the season in a safe manner is going to require a significant effort by all concerned and, whilst not unprecedented, it will need Clubs to play a significant number of matches over a relatively short period of time.”
