BUCKS! FOUR CLUBS DIP TOES IN THE WATER..
LIAM BUCKLEY fears next year’s League of Ireland campaign could be in jeopardy if efforts to resurrect this season are rushed through.
Back in March, his Sligo Rovers were the first club to temporarily lay off players and staff in the wake of Covid-19.
And they remain one of five Premier Division clubs reluctant to resume behind-closeddoors as they fear for their financial safety.
Next week, the FAI instends speaking to clubs individually to outline a financial plan that it believes can make matches without fans viable.
But yesterday, a number of clubs were sceptical about aspects of the package that they have heard about second hand.
Essentially, they don’t feel the pot will be enough to cover costs even though 87% of players surveyed this week by the PFAI want a return to action.
As a manager, Bit O’red boss Buckley (right) is keen to get back playing as soon as possible – but only if it’s right for the club.
Buckley told Mirror Sport: “The virus took off very quickly and the last thing we want is another surge that puts us back in the same place by November or December.
“That would be devastating for football next year and for whatever reason, that is not being spoken about.
“They have to be careful. If you get another flare up of the virus, it will affect next year and what happens to football then?
“We have to get it right by controlling the situation so that next year it doesn’t come into play.”
Heavy hitters like Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers are frustrated that the likes of Sligo Rovers and St Pat’s don’t want to return behind closed doors.
But Buckley said: “Everyone would ideally like to get back but it’s about making sure we do it on the right terms.
“It’s a community based club and fundraising is the bulk of our money.
“The likes of Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk don’t have those issues.
“Derry City and Bohs are in Europe and getting through a round is worth €500k to them. That’s what they’re planning for.
“If the picture was clear, and the financials were all in order, and the running of the matchday was clear, everyone would be listening.
The Bundesliga resumes today without fans and the Premier League hopes to be back next month.
Studying what happens there will serve as good guidance.
The FAI has not given up hope of a
League of
Ireland return in late July but with clubs sceptical about the financial packages, August or September is seen as more likely. Buckley said: “If we put it back to later in the year, it gives everyone time to plan and time to advance a vaccine.
“It’s the uncertainty of not knowing, as much as we want to get back, people’s health is on the line. I wouldn’t be rushing to make rash decisions.
“The Government is doing a good job with the protocols. Sit tight and take our guidance, this is what they get paid for.”
Buckley fears where the league would be right now if the John Delaney-led FAI regime was still calling the shots.
Interim chiefs Gary Owens, Roy Barrett and Niall Quinn may or may not convince clubs to return this summer, but Buckley says clubs at least owe it to them to consider proposals.
“My fear is what this crisis would look like if it happened a year ago and how the league would have been looked at,” he said.
“There are other leagues coming back, so all the issues we have around manning a matchday and training sessions can be studied.
“We all want to get back but let’s cut to the chase here, it’s not an easy one to solve. It’s not one fix for all.” the four clubs competing in European competition this year will play in a mini-tournament behind closed doors later this summer.
Players and staff from those clubs – Dundalk, Rovers, Derry and Bohemians – will undergo regular COVID-19 testing from May 26 with the other sides following suit later.
In a statement, the FAI said: “The four-team tournament will provide all stakeholders with an opportunity to learn in the current environment from these games.
“It will provide a safer template for SSE Airtricity League, International games and all football going forward.”
Clubs have been advised not to facilitate organised training – including small groups of up to four – when lockdown restrictions are eased on Monday.
With the exception of those four clubs in Europe and Women’s Champions League representative Peamount, the cessation of all FAI football is extended to July 20.
FAI medical chief Dr Alan Byrne has been appointed by Sport Ireland to the Medical Advisory Group that reviews the various sporting protocols for a return to action.
And he said: “The only certainty around a return to football during this COVID-19 pandemic is the uncertainty.
“My advice to clubs is not to return to training when we enter Phase One of the Government Roadmap on Monday, May 18.
“Not to open their grounds and pitches, even to groups of four, and not to consider collective training or playing football until the medical evidence suggests otherwise.
“We all want football back but it is not worth risking one life by rushing to get our game back.”
The last thing we want is another surge that puts us back in the same place again