Chiefs needed to seize control and end farce a long time ago, blast Doc and Stewart
IT has been a turbulent period for Irish League football in relation to how to conclude the season with rows breaking out, claim and counter claim, accusations of self interest and a lack of confidence expressed in decision makers. STEVEN BEACOM spoke to two Irish League legends, former Linfield and Glenavon midfielder Lee Doherty and ex-glentoran, Portadown, Coleraine and Ballymena United defender Alfie Stewart, for their take on the controversy.
Qwhat have you made of it all?
Lee Doherty: When the coronavirus pandemic came along and it stopped football here, I wanted those in key positions to be pro-active but frankly I have been disappointed. The process has been going on far too long — over three months. Virtually every other league in Europe has made a decision about what is next. Not us. That is an embarrassment. Alfie Stewart: I have tried to switch off from it at times because it has become ridiculous. There are different agendas and the way it has played out is not healthy for the game. The whole thing has been embarrassing. It has turned into a farce. I am glad I am not a player now going through all this. It is over three months since football was called to a halt and players still don’t know what is happening in our league. They must be totally exasperated.
Q There has been criticism of the NIFL board, the NIFL Premiership Committee, the NIFL Steering Group and the IFA. How do you feel they have performed?
Lee Doherty: My concern about boards and committees is that people can tend to have their own interest at heart. I can understand grievances of clubs who do not have people sitting on the NIFL board. In my opinion, the only committee that should have been making decisions was the one with representatives of every club which as far as I know is the NIFL Premiership Committee. To have got to this stage, it shows the entire situation over the weeks/ months has not been handled well by the powers that be.
Alfie Stewart: There was too much indecisiveness early on. Someone had to lead at the start of this and say to everyone, ‘We need to come together and make a decision’. I couldn’t believe how long it took to get options on the table to vote on. That indecision has not done anyone any favours but this is not the first time I have felt disappointed by the behaviour of those in prominent positions in Irish League football.
Q Should people in decision-making positions be considering their futures after what has been a public relations nightmare?
Lee Doherty: It is difficult to say that because I don’t know all the facts but looking from the outside in, if I was one of the people on those boards or committees I would be asking myself that question. Alfie Stewart: No doubt about it. People in positions of power and administration can sail along nicely for long periods without having difficult decisions to make. When the crunch comes, if you cannot get things right, then step aside. Iknowitisnotan easy situation but that is my point of view.
Q What are your thoughts on the European money which is key to all of this?
Lee Doherty: The top two teams, Linfield and Coleraine, are there because of results and they have invested quite a lot of money to get where they are. If the season has to end now, they will be the top two and deserve to be rewarded for what they have done on the pitch. The third European place should go to the Irish Cup winners and if that is Coleraine, the third European place should go to Crusaders who are currently third in the league. Alfie Stewart: There is always talk about the Irish League family and while I do feel thatweshould consider every club in terms of funds, there are two teams who could win the league, Linfield (left) and Coleraine, and I would have no problems giving them a larger slice of the cake.
Q How would you resolve the title, relegation and promotion?
Lee Doherty: If the season is stopped now with no more games, Linfield deserve to be champions. That would be hard on Coleraine, who are four points behind, but we can only go on cold, hard facts. The facts are 31 games have been played by each side and the team in first deserves to be nominated for the Champions League. With promotion I believe Portadown, who are top in the Championship, should go up and going by my belief that you can award the title there can also be relegation so whoever is bottom right now (Institute) has to go down. Alfie Stewart: If the decision makers here cannot make a decision on the final table, my own personal view is that decisions have to be made by an independent panel, be they from England, Scotland or Wales. I do not feel we should null and void the season and forget the 31 games each team has played to date. How can you say those games didn’t matter and forget about all the hard-earned money fans paid to see those matches?
Qwhat should happen now?
Lee Doherty: They should call the season as it is. It is not ideal but the best of a bad situation and prepare for next season getting grounds Covid-19 ready and hopefully by then fans will be allowed in to matches providing revenue for clubs.
Alfie Stewart: Make a decision this week. Get it done. The NIFL board need to stand up and be counted and lead the way. The more this goes on fans will become increasingly sickened by the lack of professionalism and childish antics and may decide not to come back to Irish League games whenever football eventually resumes.