Clubs mull over aid packages
MOST Premier Division clubs want clarity on FIFA and Government aid before deciding on a return.
But if they give a thumbs up by the new June 29 FAI deadline, the league will restart earlier than August 14 and finish in late
October rather than December.
Home grounds will be used with the plan for neutral venues scrapped.
A truncated 18-game Premier campaign - and not 27 – is behind pushed again but won’t curry favour with all clubs.
Club officials throughout the league were last night studying their individual financial packages from the FAI.
But there is still no ‘new money’ with the pot standing at €1.7m.
The FAI board may yet underwrite a sum of
€2m if clubs commit to yesterday’s packages – but doing so may require a guarantee of Government and FIFA assistance.
Bohs, Shels and Cork
City were among the clubs to discuss the FAI packages at board meetings last night with others like Sligo Rovers following suit today.
Cork City said: “We have an obligation to safeguard both the health and wellbeing of our players and staff, whilst also safeguarding the financial viability of the club.
“This is the basis on which we will assess the information received.”
The FAI will meet Premier Division sides on Monday and there are provisional plans for an Abbotstown board meeting that day.
With a resolution still a way off, Dundalk star Patrick Mceleney fears the league is “settling for mediocrity”.
And he believes it reflects badly that Irish football is one of the only leagues in Europe without a restart plan.
Mceleney added: “You look around Europe and see how far on things are, and then you look at us – we’re miles off which is really disappointing and frustrating.”