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XtraTime Web Desk: Will Premier League bosses follow the footsteps of I League committee. At least the recent developments indicate that the Premier League will have no relegation just like the I League if the Premier league is not completed due to a second shutdown. FA chief Greg Clarke during a virtual meeting with all the 20 clubs on Thursday made it clear that if the Premier League and Championships cannot be completed this season then there will be no promotion and relegation.

Clarke’s apparent U turn angered a few top clubs. Earlier he insisted that there will be promotion and relegation in both league and championships. The Premier League clubs agreed the issue would only come back on the table if the League, due to resume on June 17, cannot be completed.

Shifting our focus towards the I League this season, Mohun Bagan was declared the champions by virtue of their stronghold on top of the league (not possible for any other teams to catch them). There was no relegation though this season in the I League. Premier League on the other hand will also have no relegation this season if the league is not completed.

Thursday’s virtual meeting puts a serious question mark on Liverpool being declared as the champions, if the Premier League is incomplete this season. The club from Anfield is heading the league table with 82 points from 29 matches, way better than second placed City who has 57 points from 28 matches. Should Liverpool go on to extend the lead on top and the league is stopped again then they will not be declared champions. At least there is no clear communication on the issue.

While Clarke would prefer to see the season concluded, the clubs believe he is prepared to row back from confrontation.

According to club official, “Greg had made his position clear on this issue last month but it seems the FA have changed their minds on it now.
He added, “We all agreed that if both leagues finish, there should be promotion and relegation. But if either we can’t, or the EFL can’t, that changes things.”
The strength of feeling about relegation was echoed by other clubs.
“We believe there are real issues in the Championship and if it can’t finish, then how can any teams be relegated into that division? It would be plain wrong, ” said a club official.
The Premier League is all set to resume on June 17 with the league targeting to complete all the remaining 92 matches by July.