Darren Mullen frustrated by league impasse

Teams were informed on June 9 that the recommendation was to finish both leagues immediately with final placings decided by a mathematical model.

But nearly two weeks on there is no further information due to the impasse in the Premiership.

Newry City AFC boss Darren Mullen vented his frustration at the delay on social media as he tries to prepare for next season.

“There’s a lot of frustration at present,” he said.

“We had the call to say that the season was over, I told the players that, but we’ve heard very little since. It’s all up in the air.

“We came out of our meeting feeling that the season was over, it was dead in the water, but then Premiership clubs have been able to make their own proposals on how to finish their league.

“I have no issue with clubs looking out for themselves, that’s what we all have to do.

“Perhaps we should have looked at things too, but it didn’t seem an option at the time.

“I have no ulterior motive. Newry aren’t going to be promoted but you can see from the reaction to what I put up on social media that other people share the same frustration and it gets to the point where we hope the tail isn’t wagging the dog.”

The latest proposal on the table sees Championship and PIL clubs receive £10,000 and £5,000 respectively as part of a deal to divide European prize money.

But it’s not something that rests easy with Mullen.

“There’s a few reports saying Championship clubs will be given money from the European pot, but for me, not that I want to talk us out of getting money, we shouldn’t even be in that discussion as it doesn’t affect us,” he said.

“For me that money is for those teams who have earned it qualifying for Europe.

“If we are to get something it should come from the association in my opinion, not be taken off other teams.

“In the League of Ireland clubs at Championship will be given 68,000 Euros from the FAI.”

A proposal is due to be returned to NIFL on Monday, but News Letter Sport understands there is still work to be done to nail everything down.

With European prize money distribution still a thorny issue it remains to be seen if clubs can come to a suitable agreement on percentages.

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