NIFL to discuss lockdown implications with clubs

The NI Executive announced on Thursday that the current restrictions would continue to be in place until 5 March.

Currently only 'elite' sport is permitted to continue during current lockdown.

As such the Championship and Premier Intermediate Leagues are in limbo with their respective seasons still to start.

Whether it is viable for this current campaign to be played this season remains to be seen.

One possible scenario would be for the league to play a minimum of 11 and 10 games respectively for each league, but doubts remains as to whether clubs would be keen for this to happen.

NIFL confirmed all this will be up for discussion at the next league management committee meeting.

A spokesperson said: "We note the announcement from the NI Executive today, we will await the detail and as agreed with our member clubs we will discuss the implications with the respective Championship and Premier Intermediate League management committees at their next scheduled meetings."

The lockdown extension also raises questions about this season's Irish Cup with a number of 'non-elite' clubs included in the competition.

READ MORE:

Ten new boys who have impressed in the Irish League so far this season

IRISH LEAGUE FANS' SURVEY: Part One - Manager of the Year and Team Of The Year

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Irish and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Thank you,

Alistair Bushe

Editor