PSNI to follow Institute and lodge IFA appeal after automatic relegation

The NIFL Board confirmed on Friday following “all reasonable and proportionate steps to ensure the fairest and most appropriate outcome is reached” the results of a mathematical model implemented to finalise standings across the three Irish League divisions within a season disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Institute announced an appeal to the Irish FA against automatic relegation from the Danske Bank Premiership, citing via a club statement “the failure of the NIFL Board to implement a ‘least harm’ solution”.

PSNI FC officials will also take advantage of the right of appeal before deadline on the grounds of “sporting integrity” against a decision to relegate the club from the second-tier Bluefin Sport Championship.

The PSNI FC case is essentially built around three areas - the fact the club entered the March fixture freeze in 11th place and were only then pushed into bottom spot due to Knockbreda gaining points after an appeal against Loughgall fielding an ineligible player ​last September; reduced consultation during the NIFL process compared to the Premiership clubs and automatic relegation via a mathematical model.

It is understood Loughgall have requested additional information from both the IFA and NIFL in relation to the points deduction that allowed Knockbreda to move above PSNI but a legal case may be unlikely. PSNI FC consulted with both Loughghall and Institute but the appeal is based around circumstances specific to the Belfast club.

“We are extremely disappointed and will lodge an appeal as we feel the decision is unfair, unjust and one that flies in the face of sporting integrity,” said a PSNI FC spokesman. “No club should be left at a disadvantage by any process and we strongly feel a greater degree of flexibility could have been shown given these unprecedented times.

“Sitting 11th at the time of our final game on March 10, some nine weeks after lockdown we were leapfrogged by Knockbreda following a ruling centred around other clubs.

“Championship clubs have the same senior status as Premiership clubs but we feel we didn’t have the same opportunity as Premiership clubs to discuss alternatives to the mathematical model.”

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