Health and wellbeing of participants is 'the most important aspect' of any return says Irish FA

The Irish Football Association has said the most important aspect of any plans to return to training and competitive fixtures is the "health and wellbeing of participants".
IFA chief executive Patrick NelsonIFA chief executive Patrick Nelson
IFA chief executive Patrick Nelson

Local football's governing body made the statement following last night's Northern Ireland Football League Premiership Management Committee meeting.

IFA chief executive Patrick Nelson and chief operating officer Sean Murphy were invited to join the committee meeting to discuss the outcome of the season after the NI Executive's planned return of sport.

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Football in Northern Ireland is suspended until 31 May but any return is now expected to be many months away as contact sports can only resume in the final stage of easing Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.

Uefa has given the NI football authorities a 25 May deadline to submit plans for concluding the season.

In a statement released after the meeting the IFA confirmed any return to action must be "signed off by our own medical advisers and those from the government".

The statement read: “We welcomed the opportunity to discuss how the Irish FA has responded since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and how we have strived to support and protect football in Northern Ireland at all levels.

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“This included sharing insight with the Northern Ireland Executive around ensuring football is included in the different financial support schemes available.

“We agreed the health and wellbeing of participants is the most important aspect of any plans to return to training and competitive fixtures is that they must be signed off by our own medical advisers and those from the government.”

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