Clubs are braced for an indefinite suspension of the League of Ireland.
Sources within the game believe this weekend’s Premier and First Division fixtures could be the last round of matches played for some time. But no decision to cancel games has been made as of yet and the FAI says it will continue to take its lead from the Department of Health.
A six-person task force was established this afternoon and it will meet daily to discuss the league's next steps amid the unfolding Covid-19 pandemic.
It consists of two FAI officials - expected to be finance director Alex O’Connell and competitions director Fran Gavin - two members of the NLEC and two from the PFAI.
Representatives of those three bodies met for crisis talks in Abbotstown today where contingency plans were hatched.
Dave Moran represented the FAI board at the emergency summit while Gavin also attended on behalf of the association.
The seven-club NLEC was represented in full while players Lee Desmond, Luke Byrne, Gary Rogers were there for the PFAI along with its general secretary Stephen McGuinness.
O’Connell is to carry out a financial assessment of all League of Ireland clubs and determine what effect the potential loss of gate receipts and commercial revenues would have on each one.
Those findings will then be handed over to Government and UEFA in the hope of securing assistance.
While some European leagues have moved matches behind-closed-doors, that is not seen as a viable option in Ireland as cash-strapped clubs depend on their gates.
Therefore a total shutdown of the league is "expected quickly”, according to one source, but tomorrow’s matches are poised to go ahead as scheduled.
The prospect of cancelling the summer break in order to reschedule matches in an already hectic fixture schedule is not being ruled out.
The FAI will publish best practice match-day guidelines for all clubs, players and supporters in an effort to combat the spread of Covid-19.
And clubs could take matters into their own hands by implementing a lockdown on training grounds while the use of public gyms is likely to become a no-go for players.
Some clubs have not ruled out moving their training sessions to their match stadium rather than using facilities like colleges that are open to the wider public.
An FAI spokesman said: “Today’s meeting was a productive one and allowed us all to focus on the situation facing our National League clubs and players.
“We discussed at length our serious concerns around Covid-19 and began to develop a contingency plan to help our clubs during this potentially difficult time.
“We are currently gathering all financial data and working with the clubs and the players on the financial implications they face.
“Once we have a true understanding of this, we will be approaching Government and UEFA on behalf of the clubs to seek their support.”
The FAI spokesman added: “The FAI is fully supportive of government policy in relation to mass gatherings and sporting events and will take its lead from the Department of Health.
“The FAI will continue to hold daily meetings regarding the Covid-19 outbreak and its effect on Irish football.”
