Confusion reigned on Friday night as First Minister Arlene Foster insisted that spectators CAN attend elite sporting events under new Covid guidelines.
The DUP leader said on Friday night that it was "preposterous for clubs to be told anything to the contrary".
Her comments came just hours after Minister for Communities Carál Ní Chuilín sent a letter to sporting bodies saying that it was "necessary to stop spectators from attending sporting events" to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The new measures would impact on elite sports, including the Danske Bank Premiership, Ulster Rugby, GAA and international football.
Carál Ní Chuilín's correspondence came just two hours before the opening match of the new Irish League season, with supporters already arriving at the Showgrounds for Coleraine's game against Ballymena United.
The eleventh hour intervention was met with a significant backlash on social media, with Linfield chairman Roy McGivern labelling it a "complete embarrassment whoever is responsible."
First Minister Arlene Foster took to Twitter later on Friday evening, stating that clubs could still host a limited number of supporters at their grounds.
She said: “The regulations do not ban spectators in the grounds of elite sports.
"The existing position is maintained permitting a limited number to attend. Preposterous for clubs to be told anything to the contrary.”
A number of fans ended up being allowed to attend Friday's game at Coleraine.
The decision to allow entry was based on the health and safety of spectators who were already at the ground.
There are five more Premiership games on Saturday.
The NI Football League said it had convened an urgent meeting immediately after receipt of Minister Ní Chuilín's letter and would make a "full statement" on Friday evening.
