THE League of Ireland is no closer to a restart after a key meeting of clubs with the FAI ended in fear and uncertainty yesterday.
The League of Ireland remains the only summer league in Europe that doesn’t have a restart date.
Yesterday’s meeting was to act as a D-day of sports, but it passed without an agreed plan.
No additional funding has been sectored from the government of any of the sport’s governing bodies, UEFA or FIFA.
A meeting in May had proposed a series of actions to get clubs back playing.
However, cash-strapped clubs have sought further information on a financial package that was said to have left them ‘disappointed’ yesterday.
A suggestion that the four clubs who have qualified for Europe share their UEFA money with the rest of the League and possibly also agree to a cull in prize money has been met with a mix of surprise and anger among representatives.
The matter even reached the Dáil yesterday, when Fianna Fáil TD Marc McSharry – a Shamrock Rovers supporter – submitted a series of queries to the Minister for Sport, Shane Ross.
McSharry’s has also sought clarity on the process which saw Niall Quinn, Roy Barrett and Gary Owens recruited for key positions on the FAI Board.
McSharry said: “The new FAI, in terms of process, procedure and governance, looks like the old FAI.”
Club had hoped for clarity and a sense of direction from yesterday’s meeting.
While talks are to continue at high levels within the game today, there is evidence of real frustration within clubs as the matter rumbles on with no light in sight.
Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers, Derry City and Bohemians – who have all qualified for Europe – returned to training this week.
Finn Harps and the other League of Ireland clubs are permitted to return to train from this Monday, June 15.
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