Promotion-relegation play-offs a thorny issue

sufficient to counter the proposed FAI format. Despite the fall-out, Niall Quinn, a key figure in negotiations, welcomed the breakthrough which followed stalemate as clubs sought a compensation package to cover the costs of returning. ‘The NLEC looked at four proposals and in the end, they went with option one which is the least disruptive of the four,’ said the FAI interim deputy CEO. ‘It’s good that we can now start to look towards a return date and also that we have clarity on what the fixture list will look like and the plan for the rest of the season.’ The League will consist of two rounds of fixtures, 18 games in total and all matches played to date will count. When completed, the bottom club in the Premier Division will be relegated and replaced by the champions from the First Division. The thorny issue for top flight clubs is the insistence of promotionrelegation play-offs which could see the ninth-placed team relegated. As a plus, clubs can play at their own stadiums and fans may yet be permitted, should lockdown restrictions ease. The Extra.ie FAI Cup final is set to be played in Tallaght Stadium on the last Friday of November. The move is part of a cost-cutting measure as the Aviva Stadium, which has staged every final since 2010, was a lossmaker for the Association.

The current capacity of Tallaght is 8,000 but with temporary seating, that can rise to 10,900. The Dublin 24 venue, home to Shamrock Rovers, last staged the FAI Cup final in 2009, when Sporting Fingal edged out Sligo Rovers 2-1. This will be the 100th FAI Cup as there were two finals in 2002 when the League of Ireland switched seasons Sportsmail understands the FAI Cup will involve League clubs only, the 10 Premier Division clubs and nine from the First

Division - Shamrock Rovers B are not permitted. Six teams will play a preliminary round with the winners joining the other 13 in the first round. There will be a bye for the four Euro-bound clubs, Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians and Derry City. ‘We’ve looked at how we can make the Extra.ie FAI Cup part of the agenda so that clubs aren’t being stretched too far in terms of the length of the season and costs,’ said Quinn.