David O'Connor believes that there are still some major hurdles remaining to clear in order for the League of Ireland go get back up and running, however, the Shelbourne chief executive is hoping to hear some positive news in relation to financial assistance later this week.
The former Shamrock Rovers and UCD defender believes that things are starting to become clearer following two months of uncertainty, and he remains hopeful that some encouraging news will come from a scheduled meeting of the clubs and the FAI on Thursday.
O’Connor said that the health factor remains the main hurdle, while the financial implications that come with a safe return to play, in terms of testing, is another defining factor.
Shelbourne have continued to pay their players since the start of the coronavirus crisis, however, with the ending of the Government Covid-19 payments likely to kick in at the end of August, O’Connor admits that there is a fear that clubs could be forced to trade recklessly in such a situation.
O’Connor is hoping that the FAI will present a viable financial package to allow the clubs to return to play in order to resume the 2020 SSE Airtricity League campaign, however, he does admit that there is an onus on clubs to really try to work with what is on offer.
"It’s been an incredibly complex and challenging couple of months, and a difficult couple of months from a club’s perspective," said O’Connor, speaking on RTÉ Radio 1’s Sunday Sport.
"We were very conscious that our players and staff were heading into a period of mass uncertainty and anxiety and one of the decisions we made early on was to try to alleviate some of that pressure.
"We made the decision that we were going to pay our players and thankfully we were able to avail of the government subsidy, which will remain very important going forward and getting the league up and running.
"The Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, indicated that the scheme will run until August so one of the big questions marks is if the season returns, how long past August will it stretch as it will have a big impact on the clubs."
O’Connor has been part of the conversation between clubs and the administration over the past few months, however, he believes that only now is there some clarity starting to come from an ever-changing situation.
And O’Connor is expecting a positive meeting later this week, which will give clubs a much better idea as to whether the return to play is viable.
"It’s a big week ahead and there are some important meetings, which will hopefully provide a bit more clarity for clubs.
"We welcome the return to training for clubs, but there are still a couple of hurdles to be jumped before we can really look forward to getting the season back up and running.
"The picture has changed so often, so nothing concrete has really come from these meetings, so this Thursday we will have a meeting that will for the first time actually provide us with actual concrete facts and information.
"The big hurdle is the health piece, and that is the most important piece in that we are able to provide football in a safe environment for our players to return.
"The restrictions are easing, so it looks like the testing for training is something that might be eased, which will reduce costs.
"The big hurdle that does need to be jumped in relation to health is what will be the costing for actually testing players when they return to contact games and contact training and who will pick up that bill, as it is a significant cost."
Aside from health concerns, the reality of the situation is that a return to play with limited crowds, or behind closed doors completely, will have a significant affect on clubs and should prove a major concern upon the resumption of the league.
"There is a worry that a return to football behind closed doors will potentially result in clubs having to trade recklessly and potentially putting the clubs in risk of insolvency," said O’Connor.
"With no crowds at games it is a massive chunk of revenue for clubs, and not just bums on seats but everything else that is attached to matchday income.
"So we are hopeful on Thursday that the FAI will present a financial compensation package to clubs to have a look at and to see, club by club, if it is viable to go back."
O’Connor expects clubs to remain open-minded and flexible when considering a return to play and wants every club to really ascertain if they can get through the season.
And while O’Connor accepts that there will be a gap that needs to be bridged for clubs to remain solvent throughout this period of play, he believes that it can be achieved as long as the gap is not insurmountable.
"I don’t think we can expect the FAI to come up with finances that will cover clubs 100 per cent in a way to make sure that they break even at the end of the season.
"There is an onus on clubs, when the financial package is presented to them, to genuinely sit down and figure out what can work for the club."
Listen to David O'Connor's full interview with Sunday Sport below
RTĖ Sport · Sunday Sport - League of Ireland Training Resumption
