Matthew Tipton’s praise for IFA but views Return To Football plan ‘unrealistic’

Portadown manager Matthew Tipton has praised the commitment connected to the Irish Football Association’s ‘Return To Football’ draft document - but feels the 31-page operational blueprint ultimately highlights the reality this current league campaign cannot finish on the pitch.
Portadown manager Matthew Tipton.Portadown manager Matthew Tipton.
Portadown manager Matthew Tipton.

The IFA recently granted an extension until July 31 to complete the domestic season’s fixtures and Northern Ireland Football League officials have until June 30 to offer a proposal.

The ‘Return to Football’ draft document seen by JPI Media offers comprehensive regulations governing all areas of the game, including a return to training and matchday operations, with the emphasis on health and safety in line with the NI Executive five-stage plan and Sport NI framework.

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Tipton was left impressed by the attention to detail but cited the depth of information as support for the belief an off-the-field solution must be found to finish a season operating under uncertainty since play was suspended in early March.

“Those at the IFA behind the document deserve a lot of praise for working so hard to formulate a strategy covering every angle,” said Tipton, manager of the Bluefin Sport Championship league leaders hoping for top-flight promotion. “Everyone in football has spent the past few months throwing around ideas and speculating on everything but this basically details every aspect on paper.

“It is full of detail but, as a result, that helps emphasise the depth of the issue we are facing on getting back out on the pitch.

“I do not want to sound as if I’m simply being critical of the document as the level of detail is commendable and I’m reluctant to start discussing specifics as it’s not about picking apart individual aspects.

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“The ambition behind it is admirable but I just cannot see how we implement so many of the regulations.

“I look on it as something which highlights in one document just how hard it is for clubs to get playing again and, in my personal opinion, it is unrealistic to expect us to be able to finish the season under those requirements.

“If the majority of clubs in the Danske Bank Premiership and Championship back the document then we must find ways to adhere to the regulations.

“But I cannot see how that is possible and, overall, I view it as one step closer to confirmation we need a resolution to this season to start a timeline for next season.”

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