Protest letter all in vain as FA Council back decision to null and void parts of the non-league football season

It was announced last month that the unfinished campaigns for divisions beneath the National League's three tiers, as well as steps three to seven of the women's gam,e would be expunged.

That caused considerable anger from those involved, with clubs, administrators and MPs calling on the FA to think again, but the decision has now been rubberstamped.

A solicitor’s letter sent to the FA and signed by over 150 non-league clubs was ultimately in vain.

A statement from the game's governing body read: ‘The FA Council has today ratified the decision to conclude the 2019/20 season across Steps 3-7 of the National League System, Tiers 3 to 7 of the women's football pyramid and the wider grassroots game.

‘Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, The FA has been working collaboratively with the leagues within the National League System, the Women's Football Board, the Women's Football Conference, and the wider grassroots game to identify the most appropriate way to conclude the 2019/20 season at each level.

‘The request to end the 2019/20 season was taken to The FA Council by the representatives of the relevant committees having been fully supported by The FA Board. The FA Council's vote today was overwhelmingly in favour of ratifying the decision.’

Locally, the decision is grim news for US Portsmouth, who would have won promotion from Division 1 of the Wessex League for the first time if the FA had chosen to implement a points per game ratio to determine final placings and promotion and relegation.

In addition, Infinity’s dream of promotion from the Hampshire Premier League to the Wessex is over, and so is Moneyfields Ladies’ hopes of winning promotion from the Premier Division of the Southern Women’s League.