September 23 – The 72 clubs immediately below the English Premier League have ended prospect of Premier League B teams joining them and have also ruled out Scottish giants Rangers and Celtic being included as part of a widespread revamp.
Shaun Harvey, chief executive of the English Football League which comprises three divisions, said last month the introduction of B teams had not been discounted as a possibility if the four-division restructure plan goes ahead.
But after a meeting of all 72 clubs on Thursday, the EFL ruled out the inclusion of Premier League B teams as well as clubs from outside the English football pyramid. In effect it means that, if the plan to restructure the league as four divisions of 20 teams goes ahead, the eight extra clubs will be drawn from the National League which is just below the English league.
The idea of B teams was originally floated to allow more English talent to emerge and increase eligibility for the national team.
The proposed new format, outlined in a document entitled ‘Whole Game Solution’, would entail four divisions of 20 clubs each, meaning eight clubs will need to be added to bring the membership up to 80.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1713533643labto1713533643ofdlr1713533643owedi1713533643sni@w1713533643ahsra1713533643w.wer1713533643dna1713533643