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EFL Board Weighs Expanding Championship Play-Offs To Include Seventh and Eighth

Regulatory approval is still needed, ruling out any switch this season.

Overview

  • Sky Sports reports the EFL formally set out the idea to all 24 Championship clubs last week, with the board now considering the plan.
  • The proposal, put forward by Preston North End chief executive Peter Ridsdale, is said to have broad backing among club executives.
  • The format under discussion adds two one-off eliminators — 5th vs 8th and 6th vs 7th at the higher-placed club — feeding into the existing two-legged semi-finals for 3rd and 4th.
  • Any change cannot be implemented this season and would require sign-off from both the Football Association and the Premier League.
  • Supporters cite fewer late-season dead rubbers and a counter to parachute-payment advantages, while critics warn of perceived unfairness and possible dilution of Premier League quality, with lower-league stakeholders also wary of wider rollout.