Muratti call into extra time
TIME is fast running out – into extra time, it could be said – to get the 2020-21 Muratti and Upton matches on or be lost for a second straight season.
The Inter-Insular Committee will now make a final decision about the viability of these matches on Friday 30 April.
Gary Roberts, the Guernsey FA chief executive and Inter-Insular Committee secretary, has outlined the reasoning behind the latest decision of the committee.
‘All members of the committee remain fully committed to inter-insular football. However, the continuing travel restrictions, combined with the ongoing uncertainty and risk associated with Covid-19, have made it impossible, at this time, for the committee to make any final decision regarding the 2020/21 season fixtures.
‘The committee fully understands the tradition and history attached to these matches and there is a unified commitment to ensuring these fixtures resume when it is both viable and safe.
‘The committee also recognises the ongoing logistical difficulties with inter-island travel and similarly remains fully aware of the social responsibility to place the health and wellbeing of the local communities at the forefront of any decision-making.’
The relevance of the 30 April date is that beyond this time it will be difficult to successfully organise and host the various fixtures before the end of the season on 30 June.
Jersey FA and Inter-Insular Committee president Bradley Vowden said that as a former Muratti man himself, as was his celebrated father, he understood the values in representing your island and how important it is to provide players with that opportunity.
By waiting until 30 April, they are clinging to the hope that inter-island travel will be restored.
The IIC agreed it was not viable to play at the start of next season due to conflicts with Jersey Bulls and Guernsey FC.
