LFA cite 'flawed voting' in seeking summer soccer veto

SUMMER SOCCER: The FAI have been urged by its largest provincial affiliate to allow leagues the option of remaining in the traditional season rather comply with the summer football change. Pic: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

The FAI have been urged by its largest provincial affiliate to allow leagues the option of remaining in the traditional season rather comply with the summer football change.

On December 5, the FAI General Assembly ratified by a 57% majority a motion by the board to align football from U8s up to senior into the League of Ireland format.

Two months on and the Leinster Football Association have written to the FAI board citing “staff interference” as the contributor to a “flawed voting arrangement.” The proposal, initially due to be uniform by 2026 but now pushed out for completion by two years, was backed by 74 votes, with 56 against.

Concerns highlighted by the LFA’s leagues and clubs in advance of the ballot haven’t abated, prompting a council decision on January 21 to seek flexibility from the FAI on implementation.

Of the LFA’s 23 leagues, 20 operate the conventional season format of September to May.

“The LFA is concerned that there was staff interference in the General Assembly vote in December 2024 where all LOI clubs where contacted over the phone by staff members and told to register for the meeting and to vote in a positive manner,” reads an excerpt from the letter.

“Traditionally LOI clubs do not attend GA meetings or previous Senior council meetings in great numbers and the LFA is concerned at the pressure brought to bear by the staff resulted in what can only be described as a flawed voting arrangement.” 

The FAI have been contacted by comment on these accusations by the Irish Examiner.

The LFA’s letter outlined the reasoning and fears about a universal move to synchronise with the LOI season of March to October.

“The FAI board need to understand a move to playing during the summer will have a devastating effect on clubs and will result in loss of members and teams,” it contended.

“Some of these clubs have worked very hard to build their clubs membership base and facilities and are of the opinion that this decision to move playing season could undo all this good work.

“The LFA executive committee and members of senior council made the decision at the LFA meeting on January 21 to fully support leagues and their clubs by having the right to play one calendar season football or to remain playing in their current winter season format.

“The right of leagues to choose their playing season is absolutely essential for the amateur game.

“The LFA are, in principle supportive of the remaining proposals of the Football Pathway but we feel that in the case of the registration windows and one calendar season, it is proving to be very divisive which in the long-term may have a detrimental effect on grassroots football in the country.

 “The object of this statement is to strongly urge the FAI board to reconsider this proposal and allow leagues to participate in the season of their choice as voted by their clubs.

"The LFA Executive Committee and Members of senior council kindly request a response by February 21.”