The National League has announced the indefinite suspension of its three divisions due to the coronavirus crisis.

Having controversially played on the day after the Premier League and EFL announced their games were off due to Covid-19, the competition belatedly called a halt to all matches on March 16.

Discussions as to how best finish the season have continued and the National League has now confirmed its three campaigns are subject to an undetermined postponement.

Last week, the FA declared that all divisions below were to be ended immediately, effectively rendering them null and void.

But now National League officials have opted against deciding on a definitive fate and, it appears, instead they will wait and see what the EFL and Premier League rule on the outcomes of their seasons to fall in line.

That means Hartlepool United, Darlington, Spennymoor, York and Gateshead must await their fate.

A Darlington spokesman said: "We have received the statement from the National League confirming an indefinite suspension of the National League and National League North and South. We await further information from the National League about how the 2019/20 season will end."

Hartlepool United chief executive Mark Maguire last week said: “If I can plea for anything from the authorities – and there’s a lot of gnashing of teeth with what happens this season and next season – is confirmation for the start of next season so we can start selling season tickets and get money in.

“It’s worth around half a million to us and if that can’t happen … we can’t sell them until there’s a season.

“If we want to play football in June, how do we get people fit because we can’t ask them to work.

“We are speaking every day to speak with the National League and discussions are on going. This is ending the season in terms of allowing contracts to expire in May and then finding a way to start again next season.

“It changes by the day. Last week was doomsday scenario with the league, then it was positive, then somewhere in between.

“If people are on 44-week contracts ending in May, there’s a caveat that they end seven days after the final day of the season. Clubs on 44-week contracts are then tied to extra payments.

“The aim is two up, two down promotion and they have to fall in suit with the FA and Premier League and it’s about the credibility of the competition.’’

Yesterday’s statement read: "The National League Board met earlier today and has reviewed its prior decision to suspend the competition until at least 3rd April 2020.

"In consideration of the very serious and unprecedented national public health emergency caused by the coronavirus, the Board has taken the decision to suspend the National League, National League North and National League South competitions indefinitely.

"The National League is currently obtaining specialist legal advice, is consulting regularly with The Football Association and other stakeholders, and is committed to involving its member clubs in a pending decision on how best to conclude the 2019-20 season."