National League clubs demand three promotion spots amid fears of delay

“The regulator will be set up in law this year, I am fairly certain of that,” Ives said.

“But by the time it is set up, started, staff trained and all the elements of the Bill are in place and then, potentially, the dispute between the Premier League and EFL has been aired with a backstop, that could be three years.

“Then we have the discussion on the three-up campaign, which will delay it by another year. That could be four seasons.

“We have a pyramid that is the envy of countries worldwide because you can go from the very bottom to the top, purely on sporting merit. But there is a blockage in the jump between National League and EFL. Two-up, two-down is simply unfair.

“I would think the vast majority of fans, looking at it objectively, would see the unfairness. We want a fairer system.”

Relations between the EFL and National League became strained when Ives appeared on behalf of his organisation at a reception the Premier League held in the Houses of Parliament in April.

National League clubs are concerned the cost of legal bills if the regulator were to get involved in costly disputes with clubs may filter down to their level.

The EFL feel the National League’s stance undermined their demands for an increased portion of Premier League’s finances.

“It is an interesting debate,” added Ives. “The simple fact we had some issues around the regulator where we differed from the EFL doesn’t mean we are aligned with the Premier League. That is a misnomer, it is absolutely not true.”