Charlton Athletic boss Lee Bowyer has claimed that no sides should be relegated if the season cannot be finished but that the sides in promotion places should be allowed to go up.

The EFL announced yesterday that if 51% of clubs in a division vote in favour of it, the season will be curtailed.

In the announcement, it was revealed that if that happens the final standings should be decided on an unweighted points-per-game basis and that both promotion and relegation should be retained.

That means that should the Championship season be curtailed, Charlton would be relegated back down to League One alongside Luton Town and Barnsley – all three of whom were promoted from the division last term.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Bowyer revealed his stance on the issue and suggested an alternative system that would be good news for both Leeds and West Brom.

He said: "I think it's difficult to relegate teams, no matter what they do. Because they're not going to please anybody.

"Don't relegate anyone. All that would need to happen is that two or three teams from our divisions go up and then the Premier League will have to play an extra couple of games here and there. It's not that difficult.

"Maybe take one of the cups out and then the Premier League play three extra games, six extra games, whatever it would be.

"That would be the easiest and probably the fairest way of doing it. Even if you just said, right you lads in the play-off positions. You go and have a play-off. Leeds and West Brom, you're up. You play-off. Rest stay up.

"Teams from League One they move up, teams from League Two, they move up. I think that would be the best way to do it."

Relegation would be a huge blow for the Addicks, who have faced off the field issues over the past few months – including an ugly boardroom dispute and an ongoing EFL investigation.

Additionally, it would be a bitter pill to swallow as Charlton only moved into the bottom three for the first time this season after their defeat against Middlesbrough – the last game that they played before the delay to the season.

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The Verdict

Bowyer makes some very good points but following the announcement last week, it is hard to see the EFL changing their stance.

Relegation would be hugely frustrating for the Addicks, having spent almost all of the season out of the bottom three.

They will have to hope that it doesn't come to that and that they get the chance to secure survival on the pitch.