No more delay - time for NIFL to make big calls, insists Taggart
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Martin added: “With regard to the possibility of Northern Ireland games without supporters, it will present a significant challenge for the IFA but I have no doubtwecanovercomethatand still be able to deliver the programmes we are committed to delivering. On June 17, Uefa’s executive committee will meet and we should expect a further update from that.”
Ballymena United chairman John Taggart, meanwhile, has fired a warning shot to the Northern Ireland Football League, saying a final call on the league season must be made this month.
NIFL has indicated that a decision on the remainder of the Irish League campaign would be taken before June 30, while Uefa are expecting an update next week. The Sky Blues chief believes that any further delay is not an option. Taggart, who believes European funding should be fairly distributed to clubs throughout the league if the campaign is over, insists the time has come to make big calls.
NIFL has highlighted the “continued desire” of member clubs to conclude the season despite the Covid-19 crisis, but their hands are tied as the Government’s medical advisors will have to give clubs the green light for training to return.
Taggart argued: “There’s a decision to be made by June 30 and I think that’s the time to call it.
“No more delays, a decision needs to be taken. This season needs to be officially concluded so we can focus on next season. It’s important that all clubs come through this pandemic.
“My gut feeling is the season is over. I don’t see it returning. The Government has issued their five point recovery plan and we need to have a working environment in which everyone is safe.
“We’ve got to consider the views of the players’ families as well. Our game needs to be financially viable and the fans must feel safe enough to want to return. That won’t happen quickly. Grounds must be thoroughly cleaned. Money is driving the return of the Premier League and the testing costs are too much for us to consider.”
NIFL wanted to give the league season every chance to be concluded and the Irish FA’S draft document dlsclosed by the Belfast Telegraph yesterday explains how the association is hoping the Government will facilitate a quicker return than feared.
The IFA outlined plans to return to play after the Executive reaches stage three of its fivestage roadmap for easing the lockdown. The matches, following two weeks of team training, will be played behind closed doors with restrictions on personnel in attendance.
Ballymena United manager David Jeffrey (above) has argued that the season cannot continue while Linfield manager David Healy warned that the authorities “cannot keep kicking this decision down the line. Now is the time to make the big call”.