FAI risk farcical end to Airtricity League should Derry City be punished

It’s unprecedented and shaky ground the FAI are treading on with the delicate matter which is ultimately a public health issue. And City fans are up in arms over what they deem to be an injustice.

And while I can understand the strict stance taken by the association and its reluctance to take an embarrassing backward step on its ‘no postponement’ ruling introduced just the previous week, for the good of the game it surely has to take a hit in this instance.

The conclusion of the First Division has now reached a farcical finale with Wexford Youth’s successful appeal regarding their four points deduction for fielding an eligible player having direct ramifications on the relegation/promotion play-off spots.

Cabinteely have been replaced by Galway United in the play-offs following Wexford’s arbitration which just might make the FAI have a rethink about punishing Derry City or risk having egg on their face once more.

The crux of the Derry matter is that Shamrock Rovers had their league meeting with Declan Devine’s side postponed at the final hour due to two positive Covid-19 tests in its squad.

That fixture was originally pencilled in for October 16th but was postponed at the behest of Rovers who were reluctant to play given the unspecified number of players deemed close contacts and injuries and suspensions to key players at the time.

The Dubliners needed a win to guarantee the 2020 league title. However, it’s understood the club DID have enough registered players unaffected by Covid-19 to field a team against the Candy Stripes on that occasion.

After a meeting at Abbotstown, however, the FAI decided it would postpone the game plus Rovers’ next two fixtures against Finn Harps and St Pat’s as there was sufficient time to reschedule those three matches while ensuring the season would end on November 8th.

That, in my opinion, was a short-sighted decision by the FAI given the rising level of Covid-19 cases throughout the country.

Despite previous incidents in which Galway United and St Pat’s Athletic had games postponed for Covid-19 related issues, they made the firm decision to formally inform League of Ireland clubs there would be no further postponements allowed due to coronavirus.

It was inevitable there would be further cases given the prevalence of the virus amongst GAA and soccer clubs throughout Ireland.

Bohemians had a player test positive several weeks ago but their match went ahead as they had enough players available to field a team.

In St Pat’s case there was one player tested positive but due to a lack of adequate track and trace management protocols, it was deemed in the safety of the players that the match shouldn’t go ahead as the entire first team squad had to restrict their movements while they awaited testing - similar to the Derry situation!

Galway United had two members of their first team squad test positive and several others deemed close contacts and so their game against Drogheda United on October 6th was called off.

The bottom line, however, is that the FAI issued that ‘no postponement’ ruling to clubs in the aftermath of Shamrock Rovers’ situation. And this will surely be contested by Derry City FC should they be unjustly punished.

Rule 13.4 of the FAI rulebook states that; ‘If a team fails to fulfil a fixture, in circumstances not already provided for in these rules, it may be subject to disciplinary sanction.”

However, the Northern Ireland Public Health Agency confirmed to the FAI that the entire Derry City squad was to ‘stand down’ and self-isolate for 14 days.

The HSE were unable to provide details on the matter or detail why the entire squad were stood down due to strict confidentiality procedures. Regardless, Derry City were simply adhering to HSE guidelines and surely can’t be punished for it.

The FAI may question if the close contact protocols were being followed properly but the club certainly have taken the necessary measures and should be commended for their efforts from what I’ve witnessed on match days at least.

Temperature checks upon arrival, socially distanced changing facilities, track and tracing, the presence of a Covid-19 compliance officer as well as the necessary signage, sanitising stations and two metre social distancing protocols for substitutes in the stand have all been in place at Brandywell from the beginning of the season.

Basically the timing of the situation is what stinks for Derry City. There is simply not enough time to reschedule the Rovers fixture now as the players can’t return until after their 14 isolation period ends on November 7th.

The final game of the season away to Cork City is scheduled for November 8th and so it’s obviously impossible to find an appropriate date unless it’s pencilled in after the ‘final day’.

The ‘Journal’ contacted the FAI yesterday seeking to clarify the date of the disciplinary hearing and the potential ramifications or punishments but they failed to issue a response.

Should Derry become embroiled in a relegation fight on the final day, the outcome of that disciplinary may have severe consequences so perhaps it’s best if the FAI wait to see how St Pat’s next two fixtures pan out, as well as

Finn Harps’ home clash with Rovers on Sunday before setting a date with the Disciplinary Committee.

Derry City as far as I’m aware remain in the dark but the situation has thrown the conclusion of the club’s season into total disarray and could leave a sour taste in the mouths of all those involved with the club.

The FAI are the league’s governing body but surely you can’t shift the goalposts mid-season on a whim! What’s good for one must be good for all.

A 3-0 walkover awarded to Shamrock Rovers would not look favourable on the FAI’s decision makers and will surely result in a challenge by Derry City.

The matter could ultimately end with the FAI’s Appeal Committee or even the Court of Arbitration for Sport which would ensure an ugly end to what has been a challenging season for everyone involved.

The FAI has not yet confirmed or denied that the rescheduling of the match is off the table but equally they haven’t dismissed a potential fine or points deduction.

Let’s hope an appeal can be avoided and an amicable solution reached before the waters are dirtied even further.