YORK City Knights' 2020 Betfred Championship season is over after the Rugby Football League confirmed that the competition would not resume this year.

The decision by the RFL follows on from the news that Toronto Wolfpack have withdrawn from the reminder of the Betfred Super League season due to the "overwhelming financial challenges" caused by the coronavirus pandemic, with no relegation now taking place from the top flight.

Explaining their decision, the RFL said that no teams would be relegated from Super League "for reasons of integrity, player welfare and also to protect the solvency of clubs."

Their statement added: "The Championship and League 1 seasons will not resume in 2020 – this follows the Government announcement last week identifying October as the earliest opportunity for the return of crowds to sport, and the finding of a survey of Championship and League 1 clubs that a majority in each competition would not support playing matches Behind Closed Doors.

"Again, the issue of protecting the solvency of clubs informed this decision.

However clubs in the Championship and League 1 will be invited to play in a competition this autumn.

The prize pot for the tournament will be £250,000, thanks in part to financial support from Super League clubs.

The RFL said: "Further details of this competition will follow this week – it will be voluntary, and there will be a detailed application process requiring clubs to prove their ability to meet the necessary protocols and medical standards.

"There will be no automatic promotion to the Betfred Super League from this competition."