UEFA ‘implore’ FAI to save season
Quinn confident help can be secured to minimise cash risks and convince clubs
NIALL QUINN says UEFA have “implored” the FAI to try and ensure that the League of Ireland returns in 2020.
But he admitted that plans to do so hinge on Abbotstown attempts to secure outside help that minimises financial risk – as they would otherwise be in danger of encouraging clubs to “trade recklessly” by playing behind closed doors without fans.
The FAI’s interim deputy CEO told the ‘LOI Weekly’ podcast that they’ve had “fruitful talks” with third parties, and they hope to be able to go to club officials with a “meaningful” package that encourages them it’s worth aiming for an August return.
All of this is pending the approval of health authorities after the Government roadmap suggested team sports would be allowed in late summer.
Clubs opposed to the idea have flagged concerns over the health-related costs, vague FAI plans with regard to streaming games and the loss of match-day income which they are heavily reliant upon.
Quinn has suggested medical costs will be covered in the package they present, while streaming income won’t make or break their plan.
He declined to go into detail on what alternative sources of income the FAI are trying to pull together but his confirmation that UEFA have offered input is noteworthy.
Guarantees of state support on wage subsidies for the rest of the season is also an essential part of the discussion.
“UEFA will look on us more favourably for doing it,” said Quinn. “And Government will, but we need a little bit of help everywhere.
“That is starting to show and we are confident that we will have something.
“We have a directive from UEFA to try as hard as we can to keep the leagues operable. We can’t cancel the risk totally, but we would hope that it (gap) will be enough to say let’s rally around and go for it.”
The 53-year-old revealed that First Division clubs have written to the FAI to say they are on board with their plans, thus meaning the main job will be to convince mid- and lower-ranked Premier Division teams.
Quinn feels a July tournament for Europe-qualified clubs at the Aviva could also help demonstrate how closed-doors international games could operate later in the year.