No Premier League B teams or '˜non-English' clubs to join Pompey in league revamp

Pompey won't be joined by Premier League B teams and those from outside England in a revamped English Football League (EFL).

By The Newsroom

Published 22nd Sep 2016, 18:08 BST

Updated 5th Oct 2016, 14:45 BST

Chief executive of the Football League Shaun Harvey

The EFL today ruled out the possibility following a meeting of its existing 72 members clubs.

The proposed move, which was opposed by the Blues, formed part of the EFL’s blueprint to expand to a fifth tier by 2019-20, with 100 teams over five divisions.

However, the inclusion of top-flight B teams and ‘non-English’ clubs being part of the new-look format has been dismissed.

Clubs also expressed a preference to play through a winter break should one be introduced in the English game.

‘The logical place for many was to source the additional teams for League Three from the National League,’ said EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey

‘We will now continue our consultation with the National League with a little more certainty as to what any change could mean for them.’

Plans will eventually be voted on by all clubs in June 2017.