WE’LL FIND A WAY

IFA reiterates it wants to play out a finish to season

THE Irish FA have insisted their desire to complete the Irish Premiership season remains strong amid growing concerns the 2019/2020 campaign will end without another ball being kicked.

It is understood a split is developing between top flight clubs, some of whom feel the time has come to call it quits.

The IFA comments come ahead of a crucial video conference tomorrow when chief executive Patrick Nelson will speak to the Northern Ireland Football League Premiership Committee about a range of burning issues including funding for clubs.

Football in Northern Ireland was called to a halt in March due to the coronavirus pandemic and at present is officially postponed until the end of May.

But with the May 25 deadline running out for the IFA to inform

UEFA if an extension is required to finish the Irish League season, there are a few ideas on the table to do just that.

There are seven games left for all 12 clubs in the Irish Premiership with Linfield four points clear of Coleraine at the top of the table.

The options are to end the season now and null and void the campaign, reach agreement on titles, European places, promotion and relegation or try to carry on.

A fixtures sub-committee meeting yesterday was tasked with exploring all eventualities.

As well as speaking to those involved in football, the governing body are in constant dialogue with the Northern Ireland Executive, including the Departments of Economy and Communities.

An IFA spokesperson said: “We have a good working relationship with UEFA and we are keen to get the season finished as are UEFA. We are having conversations about how to do that.

“We are also aware that anything that happens is done in the framework of medical advice. We will continue to take medical advice and advice from the government.”

One idea put forward at the weekend by Coleraine chairman Colin Mckendry was for all remaining top flight fixtures to be played at Windsor Park and the Ballymena Showgrounds.

He added: “They are new spacious environments and have the accessibility, changing facilities and referees rooms that could be utilised safely.”

Mckendry made the point that such a scenario could only take place if medical guidance allowed it, there was buy-in from players and managers and that the clubs received “substantial financial assistance” to go ahead with fixtures given that they would be played behind closed doors without paying fans.

It is hoped there will be more clarity after tomorrow’s discussion involving Nelson and the NIFL Premiership Committee.

The thorny subject of funding from the IFA towards clubs will come up with Nelson expected to outline where the millions from UEFA’S Hattrick programme is going.

Questions have been raised about the IFA’S handling of the situation though clubs remain hopeful that they will be handed some money from the programme to ease their financial struggles.

think it’ll be behind closed doors and it’s something clubs have to explore. But I’ve also thought about regionalising it as there are eight clubs, plus Shamrock Rovers II, in the First Division. “Take the north-west, you could have Derry City, Finn Harps, Sligo Rovers, Dundalk and bring two clubs into that from the First Division, a Galway or a Drogheda. “Have a round robin with the top-two going into a play-off for any type of reward or trophies at the end of the season.”

LOCKDOWN BLUES Linfield are four points clear but progress has been stopped by coronavirus