Irish Premiership: Independent panel to decide positions if NIFL two-game plan is rejected

The destiny of this season's Irish Premiership trophy remains unknown

The end of the Irish Premiership season will be decided by an independent panel on a mathematical model if clubs reject a plan for finishing it on the pitch.

The Northern Ireland Football League made the announcement as club representatives met to discuss a plan to play two more sets of fixtures.

It is the only option that will see the campaign completed on the pitch, but clubs are expected to reject it.

NIFL must inform Uefa of its plans for finishing the season by Friday.

Premiership clubs have until 17:00 BST on Thursday to inform NIFL of their preference and the Covid-19 Steering Group, which has been tasked with bringing forward proposals for finishing the season, will then present recommendations to the NIFL Board following the collation of club decisions.

The plan to play two more rounds of games would see each club having played each other three times during the league campaign, 33 matches each in total.

NIFL has stated for some time that its preferred option is to complete the full season on the pitch, but it must nominate the teams that will play in the Champions League and Europa League by 3 August.

Clubs were informed on Tuesday night that Uefa rules state that the prize money from these competitions cannot be split across all clubs, as some managers have suggested it should be.

NIFL recommended that the 2019-20 Championship season is ended, with a mathematical curtailment model to determine final placings. Promotion and relegation will only apply to the automatic positions, with no play-offs.

Portadown are top of the Irish League's second tier, six points ahead of second-placed Ballinamallard though having played a game more, while the PSNI are bottom, two points behind second-from-bottom Knockbreda.

It is a similar situation in the third-tier Premier Intermediate League, with the season ended immediately and a mathematical model to be used to work out positions. The top team, which is currently Annagh United by three points, will be promoted to the Championship.

Also at Tuesday's meeting, NIFL stated that there remains a desire to contest the 2020 Women's Premiership season, which did not get started, when it is safe to do so,

Linfield led Coleraine by four points at the top of the Irish Premiership table before the season was suspensed

"The Steering Group has appraised numerous options available to either resume or curtail the current season against the key principles of health, finance and sporting integrity alongside the impact on the football calendar and timeframe," read the NIFL statement.

"The Steering Group was challenged by each option as they all impacted the key principles in their own specific way but has endeavoured to provide recommendations in the best interest of the NI Football League.

"The Steering Group strongly advocates that the most reasonable, proportionate and fairest solution in the interests of the League would be to conclude Season 2019-20 Premiership campaign in a condensed format with all 'pre-split' games being completing to ensure that each club has played each other three times.

"The only suitable alternative is to curtail the season immediately and adopt a mathematical formula to determine all league placings.

"Such mathematical model would be developed and implemented by an independent panel, appointed by the NIFL Board, and must ensure as close as possible that Sporting Merit is achieved as required by UEFA.

Club concerns

Top-flight managers have expressed a number of financial and health concerns about their players returning to play matches, including the unfurloughing of players, how contracts will be worked out, testing costs and the risk of injury due to a short pre-season.

Football in Northern Ireland was suspended in March, with all Premiership clubs having played 31 league matches.

Holders Linfield are on top of the table, four points ahead of second-placed Coleraine, with Crusaders a further six points behind in third.

Institute are currently bottom, three points behind second-from-bottom Warrenpoint Town.

With most clubs believed to be opposed to the concept of playing games behind closed doors, NIFL say their next task will be to assess the possibilities for commencing the 2020-21 campaign.

"Following the club decisions, a proposed start date for the 2020/2021 season will be the next important milestone for the NI Football League.

"This will require further consultation with the Irish FA, the clubs, and the government as to when we can commence the next season with the opportunity for supporters to be in attendance," NIFL said in their statement.

NIFL Managing Director Andrew Johnston told the BBC: "The proposal to conclude the season would necessitate playing a small number of games behind closed doors but clubs are keen that they would not have to play behind closed doors.

"We will work with our clubs and other key stakeholders to find the most appropriate date which will allow the next season to commence, but with spectators inside the stadium."