FA gives Women's Super League August deadline for completing the season

The Football Association held a conference call with Women’s Super League and Championship clubs on Friday, in which they outlined their determination to complete the women’s season by early August.

Telegraph Sport understands that clubs were not given ‘options’ per se, but were run through different scenarios - most featuring possible summer restart dates plus the worst-case scenario of ending the season. WSL management told them that the season would only resume when it would be safe to do so but the governing body has not made a call to void the season.

Consultations will continue while players and club staff remain in isolation. Like the men’s Premier League and English Football League, the top two tiers of women's football are working under the impression that all games will be suspended until at least April 30 but know that the date is constantly subject to change as the picture changes so rapidly.

The WSL’s current leaders are Manchester City, who are a point ahead of second-placed Chelsea but have played a game more. Arsenal are four points behind the leaders but also have a game in hand on them. At the other end, only three points separate 10th-placed Bristol City from bottom club Liverpool, who are a point behind Birmingham in 11th.

In the Championship - the second tier - unbeaten Aston Villa are six points ahead of second-placed Sheffield United, who in turn are two points ahead of third-placed Durham.

On Thursday, the FA announced that tiers three to seven of the women's game were to end their seasons immediately, with all results expunged in a decision that was met with criticism from clubs now fearing for their futures.

The WSL and Championship boards and clubs, however, were told they were to “remain in consultation” with the FA “regarding the most appropriate way to complete the current season”.