UK: Football League (2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th divisions) propose new structure of 4 leagues with 20 clubs each

The English Football League has proposed a new structure which reduces the number of teams in each of the Championship, League One and League Two from 24 to 20 clubs, and also creates a new "League Three" with 20 clubs, announced the organiser of the English lower-tier leagues on 20/05/2016. The main objective of this proposal, titled "A whole game solution", is to reduce fixture congestion in general, and the number of mid-week matches specifically, played by the English lower division teams.

If approved by all the current 72 clubs of the three-division Football League, this new structure of 80 clubs across four divisions -- when added with the 20 clubs of the Premier League -- would total 100 clubs across the top five English professional football divisions.

The Football League has formally launched this proposal with its clubs and also with the Premier League and the FA. A consultation process with all stakeholders will begin shortly, with no formal update until the 2017 Annual General Meeting of the Football League, at the earliest.

"To protect/improve financial…