CONTROVERSIAL plans to shake-up English football, that would have had a huge effect on Non-League, have been shelved by the Football League.
The ‘Whole Game Solution’ proposed another division below League Two and above the National League from 2019-20 which would feature 20 teams.
It would have increased to total amount of clubs in the Football League from 92 to 100, meaning Non-League sides would have to make up the numbers with some claiming it could have a serious negative impact on the grass-roots game.
The Premier League and FA backed the proposal ‘in principle’ with the Football League claiming it would ease fixture congestion and boost club finances.
However, the plans required the football authorities to find additional weekends in the calendar for League football with the FA saying it was not viable.
The rescheduling would have involved moving many FA Cup fixtures into midweek and with the recent new international broadcasting deal for the world’s oldest cup competition, the FA have balked at the idea.
Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey said: “If the weekend slots are not available, then there is simply no way we can meet the financial conditions as outlined at the very outset.
“The stance the FA has adopted has brought the discussions to a premature end, before fully understanding what the financial outcome from the creation of a new distribution model could be.
“We are, of course, open to re-engaging in what is a hugely important debate that was designed to help shape the future of football in this country.”
