More backing has been handed to the likes of Leeds United and West Brom in the debate surrounding the season’s end, with Cardiff City chairman Mehmet Dalman suggesting promotion and relegation needs to happen given the financial implications.  

Leeds currently sit top of the Championship table, a point clear of West Brom in second; both hold a handsome lead over Fulham in third, with nine games of the season remaining.

Yet, a ball hasn’t been kicked in the Championship since the opening weekend of March and a plan for the conclusion of the season hasn’t been decided yet.

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In the Premier League, there’s opposition to the season’s restart and potential relegations, which could, of course, seriously impact Leeds and West Brom financially.

For the mind of Cardiff figure, Dalman, the finances Leeds and West Brom have ploughed into winning promotion deserve to be recognised, particularly with the riches of the Premier League in mind.

He told the Sunday Times: "The Championship has always been an investment for owners trying to chase the holy grail of promotion, knowing if they fail they would be suffering financially.  

"The idea that we will not finish the league is absurd as that would leave clubs like Leeds and West Brom in a difficult position because they have invested a lot to get promoted.

“Not finishing the season, even if it's in September or October, and you scrap next season to do so, would be a travesty. 

"The Premier League attracts the biggest amount of money in the game of football on a global basis and one of the reasons is that it is not just exciting in terms of who is going to win the title and get the European places, but also the relegation battle. 

"The Premier League, without relegation, would not be so exciting and the Championship makes a huge contribution to that. 

“Why is it, therefore, the Premier League does not give some of the television money to the Championship?

“They're sitting on, what, £1.5bn of cash [the top flight's reserves, according to latest financial results]. 

“Give 20 per cent of that. If you distribute that throughout the Championship, the whole financial position changes.

“It's £12.5m per club, which is roughly what we're all burning [in excess outgoings on wages].”

If, or when, the season resumes, Leeds and West Brom both have to play third placed Fulham, which gives the Championship’s promotion race an interesting edge.

The Verdict  

Dalman hits the nail on the head really here.

Leeds and Albion have pumped an eye-watering amount of money in to get to the position they are currently in, so to snatch promotion away by null and voiding the season would be completely unfair.

Thankfully, that doesn’t appear to be an option at this stage, which will be a relief to Leeds and West Brom.

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