Irish FA ‘working behind the scenes’ for solution to referee registration concerns
The Irish Football Association have stated they are "working behind the scenes" to avoid a referee crisis - with hundreds of match officials currently unable to register due to a regional association's lack of committee.
The committee members of the North East Ulster Referees' Association (NEURA) resigned last month in the wake of a data breach which left personal details of hundreds of names leaked.A meeting on Monday with the hope of electing a committee and office-bearers for the group was closed without an agreement in place.It is understood that around 80 members were present, with questions raised over the validity of the meeting's purpose and ability to proceed in line with the NEURA constitution.As a result, without a committee now in place, around 300 referees covering youth level up to senior football in Northern Ireland cannot register with the regional body. The absence of a recognised functioning body also prevents those referees from securing public liability insurance.A solution to the registration issue is considered vital as league football for the 2024/25 domestic season would kick off around August – but without the mandatory insurance referees cannot be in place for the traditional summer friendlies clubs use as part of preparations.
The Irish FA submitted the following statement: “We are aware of the situation and are working behind the scenes to put the appropriate measures in place.”