RELEGATION across the English Football League (EFL) is "integral" to the integrity of the competition, the league's board has said.

The framework laid out by the EFL, which has still yet to be voted on, appears to dent League Two's plans to curtail the season without a team being relegated with promotion still going ahead.

A club should be relegated to the National League, the EFL board said, "provided we have assurances that the National League will start season 2020-21 (i.e. the relegated club in League Two has somewhere to play)".

"The principle of relegation across all three divisions is integral to the integrity of the pyramid, from the Premier League down to the National League," the statement added.

The EFL board also said that the play-offs should be played in the event of curtailment, but they should not be extended beyond the regular four teams.

It also says that the decision to curtail in each division should require a 51 per cent majority among the clubs concerned.

League One clubs remain in open disagreement about whether or not to restart the season following talks held in the division last week.

The decision looks to make promotion from the National League more likely.

But, the National League have yet to agree on how to end their season, including whether or not to hold the play-offs.

A statement published by the EFL read: “The recommended framework is as follows:

“Resuming the 2019/20 season with the existing format remains the most appropriate course of action from a sporting integrity perspective, but the Board accepts there are circumstances that may lead to curtailment (as has been demonstrated with League Two) or a situation subsequently transpires whereby the season is unable to conclude.

“This means that, in the event of an early curtailment:

“A. Final divisional placings should be determined on unweighted points per game (if required).

“B. Promotion and relegation should be retained.

“C. Play-Offs should be played in all circumstances but should not be extended (beyond four teams).

“If a scenario arises whereby the Play-Offs cannot be played, the EFL Board will determine the appropriate course of action.

“The Board considers that the majority required to curtail the 2019/20 season in any division should be 51%. Determining whether or not to curtail the season is a decision for each division to take.

“The principle of relegation across all three divisions is integral to the integrity of the pyramid, from the Premier League down to the National League, provided we have assurances that the National League will start season 2020/21 (i.e. the relegated Club in League Two has somewhere to play).

“Any regulatory solution should be relevant and specific to the current challenges posed by the COVID-19 outbreak and reach a conclusion that is clear and effective with the impact and justifications easy for all stakeholders to understand.

Rick Parry, chair of the EFL, said: “In the event that a divisional decision is made to curtail the 2019/20 season, the EFL Board is recommending that the League adopts the original framework with the amendments as identified, as there is a strong desire to remain as faithful as possible to the Regulations and ensure there is consistency in the approach adopted across the EFL in all divisions.

“The Board has always acknowledged that a single solution to satisfy all Clubs would always be hard to find, but we are at the point now where strong, definitive action is needed for the good of the League and its members.”

At the point in which the season was put on hold amid the coronavirus pandemic, York City sat at the top of the Vanarama National League North table, two points ahead of King's Lynn Town, who have played two games less.