Share to survive call from Irish League chairman

Private disagreements last week over a resolution to the senior season turned public in recent days - with each camp essentially citing reasons of integrity as the basis of viewpoints over how to complete the current campaign plus present three names to UEFA for European qualification and access to the financial rewards.

It is understood Linfield and Coleraine, sitting first and second following the March fixtures freeze, stand apart and talks between the 12 top-flight teams remain on hold until after Wednesday’s UEFA meeting in which the European club qualification process features on the agenda.

“My personal hope is Wednesday’s meeting can rule out the need to play in European qualifiers at all and we simply nominate any three names to trigger the money, which is then shared across the Premiership,” said the source. “I’m not expecting my club to get an even share but around £30,000 would make a massive difference and help us survive this situation.

“It’s not about taking money to suddenly go out and sign a load of players to make us title challengers, it’s about crucial funds towards protecting our very existence.

“We rely on business support in our area, many owned by families or the kind of places hit hardest during lockdown, so I cannot go back to those trying to get back on their feet with cap in hand.

“Taking away the same need for sponsorship aid would give us crucial breathing space.

“There would still be plenty in the pot for the clubs in the European qualifying slots but sharing the money would make a real difference to our future planning.

“Now is the time we need to agree on a way to stick together and find a way forward overall.”

The chairman is in support of either a mathematical model to settle affairs or move to complete the remaining seven games in front of restricted crowds once approved by the NI Executive.

“A return in late August, if cleared by the Government, would give us time to get everything ready from a safety viewpoint and training schedule,” he said. “Those seven games in front of crowds would bring in some extra income and basically serve as pre-season for the next campaign to start in late October or November.”