Preston North End waiting for football’s agenda makers to come up with some answers

The obvious consequence of this season running into the summer is a much later start to next season.
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On the weekend of June 20 the Championship will resume after a three-month suspension.

The remaining nine rounds of fixtures of the regular season will be played in a month, then the play-offs will begin.

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It is anticipated that the play-off final will take place on August 2.

PNE's Deepdale stadiumPNE's Deepdale stadium
PNE's Deepdale stadium

This year’s summer break will be shorter, with the 2020/21 campaign likely to start in mid September – possibly the weekend of September 12.

That will still allow a rest period for players and then a shortened pre-season programme.

Most clubs outside of the top two divisions will have gone six months without a match by the time they return in September.

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League Two has already indicated it doesn’t want to play the season to a finish, although the play-offs are set to take place.

It is looks like a similar stance will be adopted by League One this week, again the play-offs being the only games to resume.

How the transfer window operates this summer is something clubs will be keeping a close eye on.

The window won’t open until the play-offs have been completed and only having it operating between early August and mid-September seems far too short.

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Remember, the summer window is the main one for clubs, with January more a topping-up opportunity.

It could be that the window stays open until the end of September.

Another suggestion is for trading to be allowed throughout the first half of the season before the window shuts at the end of January, the traditional time for the winter window to close.

Whatever happens will need the approval of FIFA.

It is just another item on the agenda for football to wrestle with as the sport looks to get back on its feet.