Chief exec. questions idea of autumn final
JUST as with our government strategy in dealing with Covid-19, it would seem the Guernsey and Jersey Football Association are not singing off the same hymn sheet when it comes to how to get the next Muratti final on.
Serious doubts remain whether the biggest game in CI football can still be played in early May as scheduled, especially with a semi-final in Alderney still to play.
Yet, JFA president Bradley Vowden stated last weekend his island were determined to stage the match at some point in 2021, even if it is into next season. The GFA are not so sure on that point.
Chief executive Gary Roberts said: ‘To be clear, this has not been discussed by the Inter-Insular Committee, so as far as I am concerned there is no official position right now and it is probably far too early to making predictions as to when a Muratti will be played’.
Roberts does not shoot down Vowden’s suggestion of an early autumn final, but said that the decision is far from straightforward.
‘Whilst it sounds intriguing to begin with, there are a number of practical factors that would need to be considered if such a proposal was presented for discussion by the committee.
‘They include: would playing two Muratti matches in one season undermine the history of the competition. From an equality point of view, the committee would need to also consider playing all other inter-insular matches; the cost implications of playing two rounds of inter-insular matches in the same season/financial year.’
On top of that, Roberts said none of the above takes into consideration the bigger question of the timeline for when unrestricted travel may once again be permitted between the islands.
‘As this has not been formally raised by the JFA it is a bit premature for there to be either a GFA or Inter-Insular Committee position at this time.’
