The 2020-21 non-league season will only begin when supporters are allowed back into stadiums, a Football Association meeting has confirmed.
The Midland Football League were one of many leagues invited to a virtual meeting with the FA, in which they were told that the new season cannot start at steps 1-7 until it is safe for spectators to attend.
The meeting involved discussion around a number of scenarios of when the season could start. These ranged from August and September starts, which would mean a full season could be played, to a January start where a shortened season would be looked at, involving further splitting of leagues based on geography or simply playing each team once.
Clubs will be asked to undertake a risk assessment or action plan ahead of a return to action, which we will publish on our website by the end of July.
Leagues were also told that FA Vase prize money will be cut by 6% as part of a £22m cut on the National Game Budget.
However, the Midland League have waived subscription fees for next season in recognising the financial impact of the crisis on clubs.
We will continue to update supporters as and when new information is released regarding a re-start.
