Ballinamallard's hopes of being promoted to the Premiership appear to have been dashed following the NI Football League's ruling this morning on the conclusion of the league.
Harry McConkey's Mallards had been sitting second in the Championship table, six points adrift of leaders Portadown but with a game in hand, when the season was suspended due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
NIFL had already made a recommendation with regards the Championship which would see the season curtailed immediately and a mathematical formula used to decide final league placings. They also recommended that there would only be automatic promotion meaning only one club up with no play-off.
However, it was understood that discussions last week between Premiership clubs had seen a proposal put on the table for a 14 team Premiership net season with no relegation from the Premiership and for two teams to be promoted from the Championship this season which would have put the Mallards in a strong position.
No agreement could be reached however and this morning NIFL anncounced that the league seasons will be curtailed immediately with a mathematical model applied to determine final standings and they confirmed that in line with previous proposals, there will be titles awarded to the winners of each division and automatic promotion and relegation between divisions.
The key points from the NIFL statement are as follows:
- Confirmation that the current (2019/2020) league seasons will be curtailed immediately.
- A mathematical model will be applied to determine the final standings in each division.
- The mathematical model will be determined by an independent football data consultancy. Any model adopted will follow best practice across other leagues in Europe and in accordance with UEFA principles.
- In line with previous proposals, there will be titles awarded to the winners of each division and automatic promotion & relegation between divisions. This will not be confirmed until after the determination of the independent consultants is finalised.
- The 2020 NIFL Women’s Premiership and Women’s Academy League seasons will be played later this year in a reduced format.
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