Championship Play-Off Expansion Sparks Fixture Congestion Concerns
Plans to expand the Championship play-offs from four to six teams have ignited controversy, with Wrexham director Shaun Harvey voicing strong opposition. Harvey warns the move would exacerbate an already congested fixture list, piling strain on players during a relentless schedule.
Vote Scheduled for March on Format Shake-Up
Clubs are set to vote next month on whether to overhaul the traditional play-off format after the Football Association approved a request for the proposal to go to ballot. The change would introduce a new eliminator round, allowing teams finishing seventh and eighth to join the promotion mix. However, Harvey remains unconvinced, citing practical and commercial concerns.
Speaking on the Fearless in Devotion podcast, Harvey stated: "I'm not a fan of including seventh and eighth, and the fact that the semi-finals are still going to be two-legged. It just appears to me that we're adding an extra game into what is an already very busy schedule."
He questioned the real chances of seventh and eighth-placed teams advancing, noting that most clubs already attract large crowds by season's end. "I get the notion, but I'm not sure it makes a massive commercial difference," he added.
Fixture Fatigue and Quality of Play Under Scrutiny
Harvey, who previously served as chief executive of the English Football League, has long advocated for reducing the number of teams per division. His primary concern centres on player fatigue, particularly during the winter period, which he believes compromises the quality of football.
"The fixture list is busy and clubs up and down the country are making trips," Harvey explained. "In terms of the actual quality of the product of football over Christmas... we won at Blackburn, which I'm very grateful for, but the game was awful, and that's not down to a lack of effort from the players. It was just down to fatigue."
He emphasised that the current schedule is too congested, proposing a reduction from 24 to 22 or 20 teams per division to manage fixtures better. "When I was at the EFL, we talked about it. It didn't happen for a number of reasons, but I think very shortly we have to be looking at the number of games we're asking players to play," Harvey concluded.
Proposed Format and Mixed Reactions
Under the EFL's proposal, first floated in September, the Championship play-offs would expand to include six teams. The format would feature a one-off eliminator round, with fifth hosting eighth and sixth facing seventh. Winners would then meet third and fourth respectively in two-legged semi-finals, culminating in a final at Wembley to decide promotion.
While the shake-up mirrors elements of the National League system, it retains two-legged semi-finals. The plans have garnered mixed reactions from football figures.
Bristol City boss Gerhard Struber has expressed support, stating: "Why not? I think in the end, this is a bigger chance, and I would say the tension would be maybe longer when more clubs have the chance to jump in the play-offs." He added that fans might enjoy increased excitement as more clubs remain in contention.
In contrast, Portsmouth manager John Mousinho opposes the expansion. "I quite like the format as it is, I'd keep it like that," he said. "There's always that argument between the sixth-placed team and the third-placed team, there's always a big points gap there. Everybody will know what the situation is before the season—and everyone should accept that—but I think sixth is a good cut-off."
Voting Process and Premier League Concerns
Reports indicate that the FA has greenlit a vote on the proposals at an extraordinary general meeting on March 5, despite resistance from the Premier League. Top-flight officials reportedly worry about potential drops in standards if, for example, an eighth-placed team gains promotion.
For the change to pass, 13 of the 24 Championship clubs must vote in favour, alongside an overall majority of 37 across the 72 EFL clubs. The EFL is understood to be confident of securing the necessary numbers, setting the stage for a pivotal decision next month.
