Imperative that European places and revenue award on merit, says Linfield chairman Roy McGivern

In a statement on Tuesday, McGivern said Linfield had invested heavily to enhance the position of the Irish League in European competitions and also said the club was focused on completing the domestic season.

McGivern said: “The club is fully focused on completing the domestic season, in accordance with UEFA advice, and in working with the IFA and NIFL to consider the implications for the 2020/21 season.

“This club, along with others, has invested heavily to improve our performance and to enhance the position of the Irish league within a European context.

“It is imperative, therefore, that European places and the resulting revenues are awarded solely on merit and we would reject what we view as opportunistic calls for a wider distribution of European incomes this season.

“All local clubs are facing significant challenges in these uncertain times with loss of expected incomes at this important time of the season,”he added.

“We welcome Government support to keep football and other businesses viable and I can advise that Linfield FC has placed our players and key staff on furlough leave for the immediate future.

“This will ensure that we can avail of the Government’s Job Retention Scheme and minimise the impacts of this global crisis on our finances.”

The Linfield chairman stressed that while fans were undoubtedly missing football greatyly during the coronavirus pandemic, it was vital to continue to follow public health guidelines during the lockdown.

“We are all hugely missing football at this time, particularly as we enter what would traditionally be the climax of the domestic season,” he said.

“It is important, however, that we all continue to follow the Government’s public health guidelines to ensure that we can get back to normality at the earliest possible opportunity.

“We are in regular contact with the players and they are all in good condition in readiness for the resumption of the season at some point in the coming months.

“I would take this opportunity to thank all of our supporters for their continued loyalty and patience in these difficult times.

“We are all, however, anxious to return to live football whenever it is safe to do so and we trust that this will be possible soon.

“In the meantime look after yourselves, your families and your neighbours and stay safe until we are all back at our beloved Windsor Park.”

The statement said that it was hoped to hold the club’s AGM later in the year after it was postponed from May.

Linfield’s end of season gala dinner is also being provisionally rescheduled for September along with a special event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the epic European Cup Winners tie against Manchester City.