'Very messy' – EFL sends out strong legal threat to Premier League over three-team promotion

EFL chairman Rick Parry has sent out a very strong message to the Premier League over relegation and promotion.

In the face of a widely reported plot by some clubs to get relegation taken off the table before voting to restart the season, Parry has threatened there will be legal action if the rules are changed.

Times journalist Martyn Ziegler said that Parry told MPs in the DCMS select committee this morning that there would be "very messy" legal action if three teams don't go up and come down.

This is exactly the message we wanted to get from the EFL. Strong, direct and to the point.

We've talked about how it would be unfair on Leeds and West Brom if relegation was blocked.

But, from the EFL's perspective, if relegation was taken off the table and Leeds and West Brom promoted, the Championship would be seriously weakened.

Teams like Norwich and Aston Villa, Leeds and West Brom are crucial to the league and hopefully the threat of "very messy" legal action will stop the plot in its tracks.

That's without going into sporting integrity. All clubs knew the rules when they signed up at the start of the season. Three down and three up is an absolutely vital part of the competition.

Playing in neutral venues isn't ideal but it's the same for everyone and football is bigger than any one club.

In other Leeds United news, 'Impossible' – Alan Shearer delivers dire warning to Leeds fans after major setback reported