Football postponed again

Football postponed again

The JFA Competitions Committee met on Thursday night and decided to postpone all matches until the end of 2020 due to a number of self-isolating players, as well as updated government guidelines around changing rooms.

The postponement includes two round of JFA Combination league fixtures as well as the women’s Zenith Cup final and the Trinity Shield.

David Kennedy JFA chief executive said he hopes that the finals can be rescheduled for next year when fans could be reintroduced at games.

‘Safety is always a priority and with the sharp rise in Covid cases we were left with no choice but to cancel the year’s remaining fixtures with an aim to restart in January,’ he said.

‘On a positive note, the Trinity Shield has been moved closer towards summer 2021 and the Zenith Cup could also be played at a time when the introduction of a Covid vaccine could allow us to welcome fans back to Springfield – something I think would end the season on a real high.’

Kennedy said that the difficult Covid-19 climate has resulted in thinning squads as many players are having to isolate as a result of direct contact with a positive Covid case.

He added: ‘With a vaccine on the horizon and the confidence of the season drawing to its natural conclusion once we get through this current period of increased cases.’

‘Now is not the time to be asking even more of our dedicated volunteers. Covid is rising exponentially and if players do not have the use of a changing facility in this wet weather there are those potential health risks to be considered.’

Kennedy said he was grateful to the government for their continued support towards football throughout the pandemic.

As part of the JFA’s decision, clubs who can follow the correct government guidelines are still able to train throughout December.

So far JTC Jersey Wanderers and St Lawrence have taken it upon themselves to cancel all footballing activity until 2021.

Other clubs are expected to follow suit.

Tim Pryor Rozel Rovers Women’s coach said his players are expectedly disappointed that they will not get to play in the final against St Lawrence Women this weekend but backed the JFA’s decision which he believes is the correct one.

He added: ‘We had last year’s women’s JFA cup cancelled and now this one so hopefully it will be third time lucky for us when we do eventually compete in the Zenith final.’

Rovers would have had one or two key players missing due to isolation protocols and Pryor said he hopes to have a full squad when they return to action.

‘Unfortunately players will have to miss out from time to time due to the current climate but it would be nice for the girls to all get the chance to compete in a final they have worked so hard to get to.’

Prior to the JFA announcement, St Lawrence had taken the decision to stop playing football due the current climate and women’s coach Chris Riley said the JFA have made the right choice.

‘A lot of our players did not feel comfortable playing anymore due to the rise in cases over the past few days and so I think it is best to suspend all activity until things calm down.’

Riley said he hopes the final can be played in front of fans next year to showcase the quality of women’s football on the Island.

He added: ‘Hopefully the final gets moved to a Thursday night and the fans can watch us under the lights. The women’s game has progressed so much over the past few years and hopefully we will get the opportunity to showcase that at Springfield.’

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