Covid-19/England: EFL ends academy match programme for the 2019-20 season

"The EFL has today confirmed that the academy games programme for the 2019-20 season has been terminated with immediate effect," announced the English Football League on 01/05/2020, due to the Coronavirus pandemic which has already claimed the lives of over 29,400 in the UK as of 06/05/2020.

"The EFL administers the programme for Category 3 and 4 clubs (U9 to U18) whilst the Premier League does so for Category 1 and 2 clubs (U9 to U23) and the decision, which is independent of any discussions regarding the resumption of the 2019-20 campaign for first team football, has been taken to give academy staff and their players an element of clarity at this challenging time," added the league in charge of the Sky Bet Championship, Sky Bet League One and Sky Bet League Two, as well as the Carabao Cup and the Leasing.com Trophy.

"The methodology for determining the final League standings or other outcomes for the season will be decided at a future date. Additionally, it is intended that any fixtures for the 2020-21 academy season will not commence any earlier than would usually be expected,…