The Irish FA has removed a major stumbling block to the Irish League season being played to a finish by granting the NI Football League an extension to the 2019/20 campaign if so required.
The historic move was made at a meeting of the governing body’s football committee last night.
NIFL has set a June 30 deadline to decide whether the season, which went into lockdown on March 13, can be completed or has to be wrapped up because of the coronavirus crisis.
IFA president David Martin has revealed the association's Football Committee had applications from NIFL, the County Antrim FA and Ballymena Saturday Morning League for extensions to the season.
He said these extensions - up to July 31 - had been granted and this would enable the three bodies to finish their leagues this season “if they so desire”.
The preference remains to conclude the campaign in compliance with government guidance and last night's decision provides breathing space to achieve that if so wished.
Irish FA president Martin revealed: “The football committee had a meeting to consider issues including a season extension and the registration of players.
“We had applications from the Northern Ireland Football League, the County Antrim FA and Ballymena Saturday Morning League for extensions to the 2019/20 seasons.
“It is up to the football committee to grant them and we have done that. We have provided the necessary opportunity for them to finish the season if they so desire.
"In my 40 years in football I cannot recall anything like this happening, but we are in exceptional times.”
Last night's move also delays the opening of the registration period for professional contracts for the 2020/21 season until the Irish FA declares an end to the 2019/20 campaign.
Last night's decision doesn't mean the season will be concluded, but it leaves the door open and provides NIFL with the necessary time and space to reach a decision with clubs before the end of June.
Linfield lie four points clear of Coleraine at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership with only seven games to play, while the Irish Cup is at the semi-final stage.
