How Sunderland and League One would be affected if crisis-club Bury FC are kicked out the Football League on Friday

Crisis-club Bury FC face being thrown out of the Football League on Friday with the EFL outlining what would happen if that is the case.
Crisis club Bury could be kicked out the league on Friday.Crisis club Bury could be kicked out the league on Friday.
Crisis club Bury could be kicked out the league on Friday.

It comes after the League One side had another game postponed, their fixture against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday 24 suspended, with the EFL seeking clarification on a number of outstanding financial obligations.

If Bury are kicked out of the Football League at a crunch meeting on Friday the division will be reduced to 23 teams this season with three, instead of four, relegation places.

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Sunderland are due to play the Shakers away on December 21 and at home on March 21.

An EFL statement read: “Bury FC’s scheduled League One fixture with Tranmere Rovers on Saturday 24 August has been suspended as further clarity remains outstanding in relation to a number of the Club’s financial obligations.

“In addition, Sheffield Wednesday have been awarded the Round One tie scheduled to be played against Bury and will progress to Round Two, where they will play away at Rotherham United on Wednesday 28 August.

“The EFL Board continues to be frustrated at the lack of significant progress that has been made by Mr Dale in providing the information required. However, we will continue to work with the current ownership in an attempt to achieve a resolution ahead of the Notice of Withdrawal deadline of Friday 23 August.

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“It remains in regular communication with Mr Dale but if a solution is not found by the deadline, the Board will authorise the necessary share transfer on behalf of Bury FC which shall be legally binding on all parties and result, regretfully, in the Club no longer being a member of the League.

“Should this happen, Bury’s record from the 2019/20 season would be expunged with League One consisting of 23 Clubs for the remainder of the campaign and the number of relegation places reduced to three at the conclusion of 2019/20 season. Four promotion places would remain from League Two ensuring a full complement of 24 teams in League One in 2020/21.

“Bury would then be free to make an application to the Football Association to re-join league competition further down the English football pyramid from season 2020/21.”