NIFL club talks vital towards ‘sensible and realistic’ outcome

Elite sport can continue under the latest NI Executive restrictions but in a climate of growing concerns voiced by players and officials across Irish League football over the increased health risks ahead of Saturday’s confirmed Danske Bank Premiership programme.

A number of top-flight games have been called off in line with the NIFL Covid Case Policy - including fixtures scheduled for this weekend and next week - and Tipton has confirmed he will face Glenavon at Shamrock Park without five players due to coronavirus self-isolation circumstances.

But the Ports boss considers long-term player welfare and, by extension, any impact on families as the priority.

“We must be sensible and realistic in dealing with what is a global pandemic,” said Tipton. “Football does not operate outside the coronavirus issues and my first focus is on the players.

“We have fixtures planned for this weekend but it is encouraging to see NIFL officials going directly to the 12 Premiership clubs and asking for viewpoints, a continued collective and structured approach will give us an overall answer.

“Elite sport has been granted the green light at present and I’m aware of the benefits, we all love the game and no player has come to me voicing private concerns.

“We already operate under a self-imposed club ban on restricting players to work, football and home put in place from day one to help limit the risk of infection.

“But when dealing with a 20-man matchday squad plus additional staff, statistically speaking, it suggests across two clubs you would be vulnerable to a positive case.

“With the current fixture list designed to complete 38 games we are facing playing Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday plus additional training sessions that add up to five or six meetings of large groups each week.

“I’m aware of all viewpoints but have previously stated it is becoming more and more difficult to justify football and with infection numbers on the rise we have to be sensible.

“That is why it is so positive to see a system operating so if players come to me with a view it helps in discussions I have with the Board and when our club representative informs NIFL, helping us at least get to a collective outcome by vote or discussion.”

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