FAI ‘Welcome’ New Government Measures

The Football Association of Ireland have welcomed the new measures released by the Government today in relation to the resumption of sporting activity.

From Monday 8th of June, the Government stated that teams can resume no-contact training with upto 15 members present but the FAI have asked all their clubs and members to allow the organisation a further week to consult with the Government on a return to training protocol.

As a result, the FAI have asked all clubs to refrain from a return to training until Monday 15th June at the earliest besides the clubs who have qualified for European competition from the Airtricity League. Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians and Derry City will all return to training on Monday 8th of June.

Two sets of Coronavirus tests have been carried out on Airtricity League players, managers and staff with all tests returning negative thus far.

The FAI’s Steering Group are meeting on Saturday morning in attempt to plan the return for adult amateur and underage amateur football and aim to release guidelines as quickly as possible. The organisation have also stated that they will review the cessation of all football activity which was due to run until July 20th at the earliest.

FAI Interim CEO Gary Owens welcomed the announcements and stated;

“The new measures announced today by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Ministers Shane Ross and Brendan Griffin, are most welcome and positive for football and for all sport in Ireland.

We thank the Taoiseach, the Ministers and all the staff at the various Government agencies who have worked so hard to get us to this point. Those agencies have offered us great assistance as we move towards a safer return for football for all our players, coaches, match officials, administrators and club volunteers.

We still have a long road to travel in the battle against COVID-19 but sport has a huge rule to play in Ireland’s recovery and these new guidelines will help get us back on the playing field as soon as it is safe for all our stakeholders.