Peterborough United’s season becomes more confusing after leaked conversation says EFL chief executive believes football in June is ‘very optimistic’ while ‘sporting merit’ might be used to determine promotions and relegations could be scrapped

In the leaked Whatsapp group conversation Rovers winger Alex Rodman, the club’s PFA rep, is believed to be passing the latest information from the EFL on to his team-mates.

And although Rodman confirms the EFL stance is still to resume competitive matches in June, he also says ‘the organisation’s Chief Executive (David Baldwin) thinks that is very optimistic and Gary Neville (Salford owner) doesn’t believe football will resume anywhere near that date.’

Other obvious hurdles and complications are also discussed and it is suggested no fans will be allowed into stadiums until January 2021, while players’ contracts are causing concern as clubs have no legal right to extend them beyond June 30 and many clubs will also not be able to afford to pay players beyond that date anyway.

There is also talk of using ‘sporting merit’ to decide on the promoted teams from each division with relegations being scrapped.

The Premier League would absorb three promoted teams and move up to a 23-team division for one season only.

There was also talk of 66,000 coronavirus tests being carried out before the season finishes, although it’s unclear whether that meant in League One or in all divisions.

It is thought the next Goverment announcement on lockdown scheduled for May 7 could lead to a definitive outcome for the 2019-20 season. Bristol Rovers FC have launched an investigation into the leak.