Portsmouth chief executive Mark Catlin not expecting definitive decision on EFL season this week

The EFL board will today hold their customary Wednesday meeting, with the future of the 2019-20 campaign the dominant item on the agenda.

Chairman Rick Parry is challenged with finding a resolution at a time when the Premier League are ploughing ahead towards recommencing their own season.

SEE ALSO: Catlin hits back at widespread talk Pompey's season's over and talk of vote to void League One

Pompey chief executive Catlin anticipates the 71 member clubs being presented with latest EFL board developments during a Friday conference call.

Yet, regardless of what may be tabled, he does not expect a conclusion until next week at the earliest.

Catlin said: ‘The EFL board traditionally meet on a Wednesday – and I believe that is happening today.

‘Normally that is followed by a call to League One clubs later in the week to update clubs. I doubt if it will be Thursday, I assume it is going to be Friday.

‘The EFL board have their meeting, they take everything on board, then inform clubs a day or two later by sending out a Zoom invite – and everyone gets on a call.

‘Our representatives then tell us current thinking, the pros and cons of certain decisions and we are asked for an input.

‘However, I very much doubt if there will be a resolution this week in terms of this season continuing or not.

‘It is very complicated. Each club will have to consider their own position and speak to their own board.

‘Even if a call was held on Thursday or Friday this week, to get that information back to the board and enable clubs to take a position would be too short a time period.

‘Until we get a final confirmation on issues, we just don’t know about timeframes.’

The Premier League and Football League have been suspended since March 13.

However, the Premier League’s ‘Project Restart’ has pencilled in a return to fixtures next month, with group training possibly starting from Monday (May 18).

The Football League are attempting to keep pace in a terrain which Catlin admits shifts on a daily basis.

He added: ‘You can’t really predict anything at the moment because things change daily.

‘I got into the car on my way to work and have heard the Premier League have been told there may be some sympathy for clubs not wanting to play on neutral grounds.

‘Whereas it was always a condition, I’ve just heard that potentially the government may be flexible on that.

‘So things do change daily – and that’s another hurdle which may have been cleared.’

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