At a meeting earlier today, the EFL Board rejected a request from Macclesfield Town, made in line with Regulations 7.7A – 7.7C, to allow them to retain their status as an EFL club.
In June 2020, clubs approved regulations in the event season 2019/20 was curtailed, which was the position subsequently agreed in Leagues One and Two.
These regulations also contained a provision which gives the board the power to save the 24th-placed club in League Two from relegation in circumstances where the board could not be satisfied that there is a competition starting for it to participate in at National League level.
The power to reprieve brings with it an additional requirement. Where reprieving the 24th placed Club in League Two would result in the EFL having more than 72 member clubs, approval of 90% of all EFL clubs would be required.
The National League informed its clubs on July 27th of its intention to commence season 2020/21 on October 3rd and has provided the EFL with further information alongside confirming the details relating to how it intends to do so in compliance with all relevant government guidance.
Having considered written submissions from the club, the communication received from the National League, the fact that fixtures in League One and League Two are scheduled to commence on September 12th and all other relevant matters, the board is satisfied that competitive fixtures in the National League will commence within a reasonable period of time and that it should not utilise its power to reprieve.
As a result, Macclesfield Town, the 24th placed team in Sky Bet League Two, are relegated from the EFL and will play in the National League in season 2020/21.