THE PRICE IS RIGHT Clubs know cost of closure is worth paying

IRISH League clubs are bracing themselves for a financial hit and an uncertain end to the season after the Premiership was put into lockdown yesterday.

The Irish FA made the decision to suspend the current campaign – both at domestic and grassroots level – until April 4 due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

It is hoped local fixtures can resume in three weeks’ time, but with COVID-19 cases expected to spiral across the UK and Ireland, that date will be kept under “constant review”.

There is a growing risk the top flight of local football won’t conclude as anticipated on the last weekend of April, with the Irish Cup final scheduled for May 2.

The Irish FA said the decision to suspend the season was made “in response to the evolving situation around coronavirus and having listened to partners in the football family.”

A spokesman added: “The decision has been made with public health – but equally the health and safety of players, match officials, staff and volunteers – in mind.

“This means no affiliated football will be played in Northern Ireland until April 4. We expect games to restart on that date, but the matter will be kept under constant review.”

If the league returns on April 4, NIFL would have to reschedule two rounds of postponed fixtures and the March 27 Irish Cup semi-final between Coleraine and Ballymena United.

However, Irish League clubs are unconvinced the local game will be back any time soon, with the COVID-19 pandemic expected to hit hard in the coming weeks.

With player wages still to pay in the intervening period, a lack of home gates will put local clubs under a heavy financial burden.

Concerns also exist around whether some players, whose current deals expire in May, would still be contracted to their current clubs if the league has to be extended.

However, the Irish FA, NIFL and club chairman are in full agreement that public health trumps all sporting concerns in the current climate.

Ballymena United chairman John Taggart said: “We are in the midst of an unprecedented global pandemic and we fully understand why this decision has been taken at this time.

“Football will recover and the most important thing is the health of players, management, staff, volunteers, supporters and the wider public.”

A Linfield player tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, leading to other players and staff selfisolating and a deep clean of Windsor Park.