Inter-island KOs on hold due to Covid

The latest Covid worries across the islands has meant the Guernsey and Jersey Football Associations have put aside making draws which involve the other island.

Gary Roberts, the chief executive who last week announced the Jersey champions were not going to be included in the Jeremie after failing to return the valuable silver trophy, confirmed the potentially backward step yesterday.

‘The GFA has discussed the Jeremie and Wheway matches with the JFA in consideration of the updated travel position between the islands, and taken the decision to hold off any further plans for these competitions until the position improves and there are less restrictions,’ said Roberts.

‘While we are hopeful the competition will continue as intended, we are going to be flexible about when the inter-island matches are played, and on this basis the draw won’t be made until we know when/if they will be viable.

‘In a worst case scenario, the current first round draw [all-Guernsey] would revert to being the quarter-finals should it not be possible to run the competition on an inter-island basis.’

Guernsey had invited St Peter, Grouville, St Clement and St Ouen for the GFA-run inter-island competition and have all accepted.

St Paul’s, meanwhile, have yet to respond publicly to their omission.

n In other football news, Rovers coach Kevin Gillease is unsure whether star player Carlos Canha will play for the Port Soif club again, or even for Guernsey FC amid rumours that the Madeiran is going to leave the island.

‘He does not want to commit football wise until he has made up his mind,’ said Gillease.

‘Fingers crossed he will stay.’

Gillease’s men began pre-season training last week.

He said that other than the departure of defender Louis Falla, and possibly Canha, the club did not expect any players to leave.

‘We were all a bit gutted Louis went, but he wanted a new challenge,’ said the coach who confirmed that defender Ben Le Tocq could be lost to GFC.