Soccer training returns

ADULT and underage soccer clubs in Co. Wicklow can return to training from Monday, June 15, following on from the launch of the FAI Safer Return To Training document in recent days.

That date also happens to be the deadline for the Wicklow League to return submissions to the FAI regarding the finishing of the 2019/20 season. Wicklow League Chairman Michael Conlon confirmed that a Zoom meeting with Premier clubs took place last week and that consultation with the other leagues was to take place ahead of that deadline date.

‘We asked the clubs if they want to complete it (the season), and they do want to try and complete it, in fairness to the teams who are at the top. Some clubs may decide they don’t want to finish out the season, and, let’s face it, some players may not be in a position to play because they may have an underlying health problem that may negate them playing,’ said Michael Conlon.

‘To allow us to do it we had to have a submission in by June 15 which would entail us speaking to the clubs and telling them that there would be conditions for them to able to play but whether they wanted to play or not and we had to put those fixtures into the FAI for approval through the LFA.

‘There are protocols that come out of this that basically say that you will have to adhere to all the Covid-19 rules such as hand sanitation, dressing rooms will be closed, players will just turn up at a game and then go back to their car and drive home. There will be no showering facilities open and the toilet facilities will have to be manned to allow people in and out while socially distancing.

‘At this stage the LFA have come and asked each league do they want to finish. We could put in all these proposals and put in the fixtures and everything for June 15 and the FAI could decide that, ‘look, there are not enough leagues that want to continue to make it viable so we’ll just call a halt’.

But what I will say, and I think the most important point that comes out of this is that the 2020/21 season will not start until the end of October. The key point to this is that the player registrations, normally players would be free agents in June once the season is completed. The FAI have made a directive that basically all players remain with their clubs until October 12.

So, even those leagues that have already said they are not going to play, can’t go back and play the 2020/21 season from the end of August. That’s not being permitted, players won’t be able to move until October.

‘We’re trying to finish the season if we can. It’s by no means certain at this stage,’ he said.

Michael Conlon also said that they were looking at completing the Wicklow Cup but that it would behind closed doors.