Premier League update on 2019-20 Academy programme
The Premier League has released the following update on the 2019-20 Academy programme following its curtailment earlier this year.
Chelsea have been crowned 2019/20 Champions of Premier League 2 Division 1 with West Ham United securing promotion as Division 2 Champions and Manchester United also promoted as runners-up.
Following the curtailment of the Academy Games Programme for Season 2019/20, Clubs today agreed to determine the final standings using a Points Per Game system.
Using this methodology, Wolverhampton Wanderers have been relegated from Division 1. In Division 2, runners up Manchester United will join West Ham in promotion to the top tier of Premier League 2.
Due to the curtailed season, Clubs were unable to complete the play-off fixtures. It was therefore agreed the Division 2 Champions and second-placed team would both be promoted to Division 1 for Season 2020/21.
The Points Per Game solution has also been applied to the Under 18 Premier League, the Under 18 Professional Development League and the Professional Development League (U23 Category 2 teams).
Fulham have been crowned Under 18 Premier League South Champions, and Manchester City Champions of the Under 18 Premier League North. Despite the National play-off match not being able to be played, based on Points Per Game, Manchester City have been crowned overall Under 18 National Champion and gained qualification for the UEFA Youth League.
Millwall finished Champions in the PDL South at both Under 23 and Under 18 age groups, while Nottingham Forest have been crowned Champions of PDL North. Wigan Athletic are Champions of Under 18 PDL North.
Premier League Shareholders today also agreed to curtail the Premier League International Cup, the Premier League Cup and the U18 Premier League Cup, without a winner being awarded.
Premier League Academy Games Programme 2020/21 Update
Next season will see some changes to the structure of PL2 Division 1 and 2. Three new Category 1 Academies – Burnley, Crystal Palace and Leeds United – will enter Division 2 for the next season, meaning Division 1 will comprise 13 teams and Division 2 will comprise 14 teams.