The Football Association of Ireland has extended the cessation order for all football under its jurisdiction until May 18th inclusive.

This follows on from the latest directives announced by the government and the Department of Health.

The FAI has said it will now examine what this lockdown extension and the guidelines published in the government’s ‘Roadmap For Reopening Society and Business’ mean for all stakeholders at all levels of the game, and will move to evaluate the implications and update stakeholders from all strands of football as soon as feasible.

The decision to extend the cessation order for all football until May 18th has been taken in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and in the best interests of the players, coaches, volunteers, supporters and staff.

Dr. Alan Byrne, FAI medical director, has advised the FAI that in the current exceptional circumstances, clubs should not engage in collective training during the cessation period for all football activity under the FAI’s jurisdiction.

With that information to hand, the FAI is advising all members, volunteers and stakeholders to respect the HSE guidelines on social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic, and is appealing to everyone involved with Irish football to stay at home over this May bank holiday weekend.