THE NI Football League is set to request that the IFA grant an extension to the current season in the hope that that it can be concluded in full.
Senior clubs will also inform the Association and Uefa that it will not be possible to conclude the campaign by July 20, the date by which the European governing body wishes to receive nominated entries for the European Club Competitions, namely the Champions and Europa Leagues.
After four meetings via video conference this week, the NIFL Covid-19 Steering Group will make recommendations to the NIFL Board as to how the current season should be concluded, and about the return to competition more generally, all of which will ultimately be underpinned by the following principles:
‘Protecting the health and wellbeing of all individuals (including players, staff, officials, spectators, volunteers and other stakeholders) in line with government and medical guidance and advice;
‘Ensuring the financial sustainability of member clubs; and
‘Preserving the sporting integrity of the leagues.’
Although the ‘sporting integrity’ principle allows leagues to be curtailed and nominations still be made to the European club competitions, as has already happened in France and the Netherlands, NIFL has stopped short of that so far.
As reflected by the discussions at the meetings, there remains a desire from member clubs to conclude the current season by playing all remaining fixtures subject, however, to due regard being given to the above principles.
Following this week’s meetings, the Steering Group will reconvene next week to consider and discuss the feedback it received from club representatives and league committees.
Besides recommending to the NIFL Board that it ask the IFA to grant an extension to the 2019/20 NIFL league season for all leagues and that the Board provides confirmation to the IFA and UEFA that it is not possible to conclude the 2019/20 league season ahead of 20 July 2020, the steering group will also do the following:
Consider the impact of the IFA’s Player Registration Sub-Committee meeting next week;
Consider the implications of the IFA's proposed ‘Return to Train’ and Return to Play’ protocols and framework; and
Seek to establish a timeline for key decisions.
The four meetings this week involved representatives from all member clubs across the NIFL Premiership, Championship, Premier Intermediate League, and Women’s Premiership giving their views on the current situation.
In turn, the Steering Group updated member clubs on the work carried out by the group and NIFL office bearers to date, including its discussions and communications with the European Leagues, the Department for Communities, and Sport NI.
At the Premiership Management Committee meeting, the Irish Football Association also provided a detailed update to Premiership clubs on its work so far, including in various areas of support to clubs and its communications with the NI Executive.
Given the fluid and uncertain landscape, and the existence of so many factors outside the NIFL’s control, this week’s meetings were not intended to reach a decision on the conclusion of the current season, this being deemed neither practical nor realistic.
