Football in England has been on hold since the second week in March, with Sheffield Wednesday’s final outing coming in defeat at Brentford on March 7. And last week the EFL joined the Premier League, the FA and authorities in the women’s game in announcing that football would not start at the end of this month, extending the April 30 resumption date indefinitely. A statement said the authorities had: “collectively agreed to postpone its football competitions until it is safe to resume.” The news came as little surprise to many as the national crisis continues to take hold of the nation and for the first time, the relevant bodies refused to give a target date for the resumption of football. But reports in the national media that suggest June 8 is the new EFL target. The plausibility of that date remains to be seen and league authorities are yet to rule out the option of playing games behind closed doors in order to stage the season’s completion. Last week’s EFL statement continued: “Football is committed in supporting the Government’s efforts in tackling the COVID-19 outbreak and the staging of football matches in this country. It is clearly something that simply cannot happen at this time. The thoughts of everyone associated with the EFL and its member Clubs are with anyone currently affected by the coronavirus. “The situation will be kept under constant review with matches only returning at an appropriate point and based on the latest guidance provided by the relevant Government departments and health authorities.” Wednesday’s season was originally scheduled to finish on May 2 with Middlesbrough the visitors at Hillsborough. They have nine matches yet to play and sit 15th in the table. There are questions over whether the league will resume with the same pattern of fixtures originally scheduled. It is likely a number of extra midweek fixtures will be organised to speed up the season’s completion.