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| The FA's explanation for a recommendation, endorsed by its board and ratified by council members, to end the 2019-20 season at steps 3-7 of the National League System, is more than 1,300 words long.And yet it doesn't address the following questions...
| "[...]the decisions taken were made in the best interests of all the Leagues, as a collective."Is the National League part of that collective? Yes, or no.
If the former, why has it pursued a different course of action throughout?
| "Steps 1-4 are represented through the Alliance Committee."The National League makes up steps one and two.
How much, if anything, of a contribution to the decision did its representatives make?
If *something*, is that appropriate?
| "The Leagues Committee represents Steps 5-7."On March 28, the Cheshire League, which operates at step seven, confirmed it has had no direct contact throughout.
How were its interests represented in a 'robust' process that ended in a 'collective decision'?
| "The overwhelming feeling [...] was temporarily postponing the 2019-20 season, and resuming later, would create uncertainty scheduling the 2020-21 campaign.âHow much more certain is the FA about planning next season now than it was before the decision?
| "It may not be possible for clubs to play up to two matches per week [if the 2019-20 season resumed]."Why didn't this principle apply in 2017-18 - to quote an example - when 1874 Northwich completed 24 fixtures between March 26 and May 12?
What has changed?
| "The potential implications (for PPG and expunging results) were considered at length by all involved.âReally?
Mar 24: Isthmian League says no decision on how final placings might be decided.
Mar 26: FA announces 'null and void'
What happened in those two days?
| On PPG: "Most of the clubs facing relegation will be of the view they stood a chance of avoiding it due to the number of games remaining."Why is that more important than the (vastly) higher number of games that had actually been completed?
| Still on PPG: "It is impossible to find a solution that works for everybody."Did the FA consider the RFU's 'best playing record formula', something the Non-League Paper suggested as an option in a leader column on Sunday?
If not, why?
| "The decision was based on the fairest method to decide the sporting outcomes for the season, with the integrity of the leagues in mind."How damaged is integrity, both now and in the future, if an entire season's playing record can be expunged?
| "We always keep the integrity of competitions at the forefront of our minds when making a decision."Did that apply in 2018-19 when Brighouse contested (and won) a play-off final despite knowing beforehand they had zero chance of being promoted if they prevailed?
