The relegation picture in the Danske Bank Premiership is still no clearer as the arbitration decision on Warrenpoint Town's appeal was delayed.

The IFA had stated that a decision was expected on Thursday night but that was not forthcoming as Nicholas Randall QC found that Warrenpoint had the right to question whether the IFA Disciplinary Committee had the authority to use their discretion in not imposing a sanction on Carrick Rangers despite finding them guilty of breaching rules.

And in a subsequent statement, the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) have voiced their frustrations with the ongoing matter and have confirmed that the play-off, scheduled for next week, has been postponed.

The statement from the IFA read:

"Regarding an arbitration under Article 3 of the Articles of Association of the Irish Football Association between Warrenpoint Town FC and the Irish FA.

"Having heard the arbitration, Nicholas Randall QC, made a Partial Award. He accepted that third party appeals are not allowed and determined that the Chairman of the Appeals Committee was entirely correct in his construction of the Articles and was right to say that the Applicant had no standing with respect to the appeals process.

"However, he also found under the arbitration procedure set out in the Articles that Warrenpoint Town FC had the right to question whether the Irish FA Disciplinary Committee had the authority to utilise their discretion in over-riding the sanction outlined in the Disciplinary code by deciding not to punish Carrick Rangers FC by imposing a three-point deduction.

"He will now consider this particular argument and has invited written submissions from Warrenpoint Town, the Irish FA and Carrick Rangers on this specific legal issue."

In response to this, NIFL said: "Further to the Irish FA statement regarding the arbitration between Warrenpoint Town and the Irish FA, the NIFL can now confirm that the provisionally scheduled Danske Bank Premiership Promotion/Relegation Play Off(s) have been further postponed pending the outcome of the Arbitration case.

"The NIFL are increasingly frustrated at the ongoing, and further delay, and appeal that the matter is concluded at the earliest possible opportunity to prevent any further impact on our member clubs, managers, players and fans as well as preparation for Season 2016/17."