Uefa has confirmed that the NI Football League will only have three clubs competing in Europe next season.
Northern Ireland was ranked 52nd (from 55 member nations) at the end of last season.
Following communication from Uefa on the latest Access List for European Competitions, NIFL has been advised that places allocated to Northern Ireland clubs has been reduced for the 2020/2021 season.
As a result, next season clubs representing Northern Ireland in Uefa Competitions will be limited to three places – one for Champions League and two for the Europa League.
The three European places will be allocated to the Danske Bank Premiership winners (Champions League), the Irish Cup winners (Europa League) and the Premiership runners-up (Europa League).
There will be no Europa League playoff series at the end of this current season.
There is some positive news however, with this summer's impressive performances in Europe - in which all four clubs progressed at least one round of their respective competitions - means that the Northern Ireland co-efficient ranking is expected to rise to 48th position by the end of this season.
Whilst there will be mo official confirmation until next year, the rise in the rankings will see Northern Ireland return to an allocation of four places, with the return of an additional place for the start of season 2021/2022.
Ballymena United, Crusaders and Cliftonville all progressed through a round in the Europa League, while Linfield narrowly missed out on the group stages.
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