Sinn Fein urge FAI and IFA to pursue All-Ireland League

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Sport Chris Andrews TD has recommended that the FAI and IFA respond to requests from League of Ireland and Irish League clubs by sending proposals for an All-Island League to UEFA for consideration. 

Andrews declared the proposal could “unlock the potential of football on this island.”

The 10 League of Ireland Premier Division clubs have expressed an interest in exploring the possibility with Uefa - this comes after 10 of the 12 NIFL Premiership sides had done similar. 

In the written proposal to the FAI, the League of Ireland clubs site the ‘power of the English Premier League and the devastating consequences of the Covid-19 crisis’ as reasons for the future instability of the current model. 

Irish entrepreneur Kieran Lucid had been championing a combined league but his plans were knocked back by clubs as recently as last year. 

Deputy Andrews echoed some of these concerns while speaking on the matter. “It is encouraging to see that 20 out of the 22 top-flight clubs north and south are now calling for the All-Island League proposals to be sent to UEFA for consideration.

“We have great footballing talent north and south, and the two associations tasked with overseeing the sport on this island owe it to current and future generations to create a sustainable professional league.

“The globalisation of football has led to increasingly diminishing opportunities for Irish footballers in Britain. Many footballers leave these shores in their teens with great hope and expectation but return home having been unable to make the breakthrough and are left disillusioned by the game.

The Dublin Bay South TD then namechecked Lucid and spoke openmindedly of his plans “With 10 of the 12 Premiership clubs in the north now in favour of the All-Island League, I would encourage the IFA, who recently dismissed the idea, to meet with these clubs to discuss how Kieran Lucid’s proposals could be advanced.

Andrews is expected to meet FAI representatives Gary Owens and Niall Quinn on Friday to discuss the matter further.



Spokespeople on Sport 

Earlier this week, the Social Democrats confirmed that their co-leader Catherine Murphy TD will continue in her role as their party’s spokesperson on Sport – in addition to Justice, Enterprise, Trade and Employment. 

Deputy Murphy was a very active member in the last Dáil on issues of governance within the FAI as a member of the Tourism, Transport and Sport Committee.

Earlier this month, the Labour Party appointed Senator Mark Wall as their spokesperson on Defence, Tourism and Sport.

Additional reporting by Macdara Ferris



 

    About Ryan Kilbane

    View Full Profile