FAI chiefs will be told that scrapping the FAI Cup or freezing relegation is entirely a matter for the association itself.
It is understood that UEFA won’t be getting involved in the mechanics of the domestic competitions.
And nor is their blessing required once the FAI makes a final decision one way or another.
The Europa League spot usually allocated to the FAI Cup winner can be transferred to the fourth-placed team in the Premier Division, if needed.
There is precedent already this season in countries like the Netherlands where the season ended prematurely because of the Covid pandemic.
The Cup final between Utrecht and Feyenoord did not go ahead so Willem II landed a Europa League spot instead because of their league position.
And while the League of Ireland season should still resume, the same principle will apply here if the FAI Cup is shelved.
Any decision on altering relegation from the Premier Division, will also rest with the FAI and not UEFA.
Binning the FAI Cup for one season will free up calendar space and save up to €300k which would be redirected into the League’s restart pot.
But it would be a divisive move.
Opinion is split on the matter, both within the FAI itself and among the Premier Division clubs. First Division sides are united in wanting to retain it.
A number of top flight clubs have continued to lobby the FAI about freezing relegation from the Premier Division.
The league could resume on July 31 but for a shortened 18-game season, five of which have already been played.
But while financial assistance to clubs is inching towards acceptable levels, relegation fears amid an entirely new-look season remain a major stumbling block for some.
In yesterday’s meeting between the FAI, PFAI and NLEC, concern was expressed about the ‘integrity of the game’ if some clubs have little or nothing to play for.
Discussions next week will focus on the possibility of scrapping automatic relegation for the bottom side, but forcing them into an as yet undetermined playoff scenario.
