BOTH of York’s MPs have backed York City’s bid for promotion after National League proposals stated that the Minstermen would be denied go up from the National League North.

Division leaders York would fall behind King’s Lynn on PPG and, according to the League, the play-offs cannot take place due to government restrictions on what qualifies as “elite sport”.

However, Alan Mak, the MP for Havant, has claimed that the Government “has not expressed a view” on this issue and called for the League to reconsider their position.

This view has been echoed by York MPs Rachael Maskell (York Central) and Julian Sturdy (York Outer).

Maskell said: “I have called on Oliver Dowden, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for sport to pause proceedings and make further consideration of York City’s proposals, which I back 100 per cent, as it is the fairest way to conclude the season.

“The loss of live sports has been hard enough for fans, but when arbitrary decisions are made, which are completely unfair, it devalues the sport.

“York City players have worked hard to pull themselves out of the Northern League and these efforts should be awarded with promotion if play offs behind closed doors are disallowed.

“There is no rush to make this decision over the next few days, it is more important to get this right.”

“This would have been York City’s last season at Bootham Crescent, it is only right that this era ends fairly.”

In a letter to Dowden, Sturdy wrote of National League’s original proposal: “Whole no one can tell what the rest of the season would hold, I think this resolution does not recognise the immense effort by York City FC and would be in fact prove more unfair than voiding the season for all teams.

“In fact, the guidance published by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport someone is classed as an elite athlete if they derive their living from playing sport.

“As York City FC maintains a full-time squad, it is reasonable to use this guidance to classify their games in the National League North as elite sport so therefore eligible to be played behind closed doors.

“It is because of this confusion within the guidance, I would like to ask you to review the guidance the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has provided the National League to allow for a more agreeable resolution to the 2019/20 football season.

“I have also written to Brian Barwick, the chairman of the National League, to express my support for an amendment to their proposed end to the 2019/20 season which would see the top two teams from the National League North promoted.

“I am pleased to report that this has also been supported by King’s Lynn Town FC in a heartening display of sportsmanship.

“If a review of the guidance issued by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport can’t allow the season to continue then an endorsement of this amendment would be most welcome.”

John Sentamu, the former Archbishop of York, also backed York’s cause tweeting: “#Promote2. Natural justice and a very good season for the Minstermen demands it! A well earned promotion as we move to our new Stadium!”