The Football Association Council has ratified the decision to effectively cancel the 2019/20 season for sections of the non-league, women's and grassroots game.

It was announced last month that the unfinished campaigns for divisions beneath the National League's three tiers, as well as steps three to seven of the women's game would be expunged.

That caused considerable pushback from those involved, with clubs, administrators and MPs calling on the FA to think again, but the decision has now been rubberstamped.

That leaves Atherton Collieries second from bottom of the BetVictor Premier Division. Brad Cooke’s men did however have up to seven games in hand on the sides around them.

Atherton LR and Daisy Hill play in the step six North West Counties First Division North. Step seven involves the West Lancashire League which includes Tempest United, CMB, Turton and others.

As for the women’s game, the decision confirms that Bolton Wanderers Ladies’ season in the FA Women’s National League Division One North is over.

The National League, the two tiers below the EFL, are being treated differently and are now being asked to vote on a plan to end the season.

A statement from the game's governing body read: "The FA Council has today ratified the decision to conclude the 2019/20 season across Steps 3-7 of the National League System, Tiers 3 to 7 of the women's football pyramid and the wider grassroots game.

"Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, The FA has been working collaboratively with the leagues within the National League System , the Women's Football Board, the Women's Football Confer-ence, and the wider grassroots game to identify the most appropriate way to conclude the 2019/20 season at each level.

"The request to end the 2019/20 season was taken to The FA Council by the representatives of the relevant committees having been fully supported by The FA Board. The FA Council's vote today was overwhelmingly in favour of ratifying the decision."