The Premier League could consist of 23 clubs next season and have 44 matches to be played due to the impact of the coronavirus, according to stunning reports.
England's top-flight domestic league has been suspended since early March as the EFL explores ways to resume the season amid the coronavirus pandemic.
But The Daily Mail reports that the League Cup could be scrapped for the year as the Premier League makes room for an expanded format.
It remains uncertain how the season will play out and whether teams sitting in the relegation zone will be dumped out of the league should the current campaign not resume.
And there is further doubt surrounding the fate of teams in the Championship and whether they will be promoted to the Premier League next season.
The Daily Mail suggests that no teams would be relegated from the Premier League and the top three Championship sides would be promoted.
And the decision to promote the teams would be based on a points-per-match situation.
However, a total of six teams would be relegated from the Premier League next season as part of bringing the league back to normality for the 2021-22 campaign.
The increased number of matches from 38 to 44 would also mean that the League Cup would not take place.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has also been vocal about his desire to see the League Cup scrapped.
"The League Cup is off in France already," the 52-year-old told The Times earlier this year.
"Only England remains. I think that everybody knows that it would be better for everyone if that were not played anymore."
According to reports, the Premier League could resume in early June as part of plans for the season to be finished in its entirety.
But French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly wants the Premier League to end the season similar to Ligue 1 in France.
source https://www.sportbible.com/football/news-premier-league-could-expand-to-23-teams-and-44-matches-20200501
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