Middlesbrough maintain their stance over the Championship season despite rising opposition

Boro have been firm in their view that all fixtures should be completed, with the Championship set to resume once it is deemed safe to do so.

But the Daily Mail claim that as many as five second tier clubs are lobbying to see the campaign curtailed.

The EFL confirmed yesterday that should the season fail to be completed, then the final league table would be decided by applying an unweighted points-per-game formula.

That would see Middlesbrough finish 19th, and comfortably clear of relegation.

The EFL’s statement said: “The rationale for playing the remaining matches has been fully debated with a particular focus on the issues COVID-19 has created in respect of health and wellbeing, ongoing testing requirements, player registration issues and the financial burdens Clubs already face at this difficult time.

“In the event of a curtailment of the season, the EFL Board outlined how this could be addressed through a framework that includes maintaining the principle of promotion and relegation, league tables to be determined via unweighted points per game (PPG) and Play-Offs to remain in every division to determine the final promotion place.

“The EFL Board, whose aspiration has always been to conclude the 2019/20 season by completing the remaining fixtures, has previously stated that any decision on how to conclude the season is a matter for Clubs to determine in their respective divisions.”