Thread by @simmo_on_sport, | The FA's explanation for a recommendation, endorsed by its board and [...]

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤔" title="Thinking face" aria-label="Emoji: Thinking face"> | The FA& #39;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& #39;t address the following questions...

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏻" title="Down pointing backhand index (light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index (light skin tone)">

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="1⃣" title="Keycap digit one" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit one"> | "[...]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?

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="2⃣" title="Keycap digit two" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit two"> | "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?

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="3⃣" title="Keycap digit three" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit three"> | "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 & #39;robust& #39; process that ended in a & #39;collective decision& #39;?

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="4⃣" title="Keycap digit four" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit four"> | "The overwhelming feeling [...] was temporarily postponing the 2019-20 season, and resuming later, would create uncertainty scheduling the 2020-21 campaign.”

How much more certain is the FA about planning next season now than it was before the decision?

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="5⃣" title="Keycap digit five" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit five"> | "It may not be possible for clubs to play up to two matches per week [if the 2019-20 season resumed]."

Why didn& #39;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?

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="6⃣" title="Keycap digit six" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit six"> | "The potential implications (for PPG and expunging results) were considered at length by all involved.”

Really?

Mar 24: Isthmian League says no decision on how final placings might be decided.

Mar 26: FA announces & #39;null and void& #39;

What happened in those two days?

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="7⃣" title="Keycap digit seven" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit seven"> | 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?

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="8⃣" title="Keycap digit eight" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit eight"> | Still on PPG: "It is impossible to find a solution that works for everybody."

Did the FA consider the RFU& #39;s & #39;best playing record formula& #39;, something the Non-League Paper suggested as an option in a leader column on Sunday?

If not, why?

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="9⃣" title="Keycap digit nine" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit nine"> | "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& #39;s playing record can be expunged?

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔟" title="Keycap ten" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap ten"> | "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?

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