<
>

WSL and Championship players resigned to rest of season being cancelled - sources

Players at the Women's Super League, the top tier for women's football in England, as well as the second tier Championship are widely resigned to the rest of the season being cancelled, multiple sources have told ESPN.

The Football Association has written to all clubs asking them to offer their views on how best to end the season.

- Stream new episodes of ESPN FC Monday-Friday on ESPN+
- Stream every episode of 30 for 30: Soccer Stories on ESPN+
- Notebook: Lloris' guard dog, Man Utd calm on Gomes

Women's football was postponed alongside the rest of football in England on March 13 due to the coronavirus pandemic and unlike the Premier League teams, who are back training at club facilities, WSL and Championship players are still training individually at home.

The FA has asked clubs to reply by Friday, May 22 with how best they feel the season should be decided with titles, promotion, relegation and Champions League spots still to be determined in the highest league of women's football in England.

Manchester City are first with 40 points from 16 games, but Chelsea are just one point behind with a game in hand and would likely go top if a points per game model was used.

In a document seen by ESPN, the clubs have been asked to offer their opinions on whether they can operationally and financially finish the campaign, or if the season should be "terminated."

If the season is to be cancelled, they have been asked how the final standings should be determined.

They have also been asked whether a basic points per game formula should be used, or a weighted model taking into account the remaining home and away matches.

Clubs will also offer their views on promotion and relegation and what approach is best there. One solution being weighed up and favoured by some stakeholders is to expand the WSL next season to 13 teams, according to ESPN sources.

This would see Aston Villa promoted and Liverpool, who are the bottom of the WSL, stay in the topflight.

The Women's FA board will make the final decision and could adopt a unified approach across men's professional divisions and women's football.

Voiding the season is an unlikely option as UEFA requires teams to be submitted to next season's Champions League based upon sporting merit.

Meanwhile, the players remain in limbo. Sources have told ESPN that Liverpool are unsure what division they'll be playing in next season.

Clubs are torn between deciding whether to void the season -- which is the least appealing option to the FA according to ESPN sources -- or operate the points per game model.

Overall, there is a widespread push for a decision as a matter of urgency so clubs can get the required clarity and can plan for next season.

A statement from the FA on Monday admitted there are "significant challenges in completing the 2019-20 season" and was keen to seek views on "the most appropriate sporting outcome for the season."

The statement continued: "Our overriding ambition is to give the clubs, players and stakeholders in the game the support and clarity they need during these challenging circumstances, and to help and enable women's football to continue to thrive in the future."