The Irish Football Association has agreed to distribute FIFA funding to senior and intermediate clubs across Northern Ireland affected by Covid-19.
The money, from FIFA’s Covid-19 Relief Funding programme, is aimed at helping clubs meet some of the costs associated with the impact of the ongoing pandemic.
Northern Ireland Football League clubs and intermediate level clubs affiliated to the Irish FA will be eligible to apply for funding under the FIFA programme. Clubs must participate in season 2020-21 to be eligible to receive funding.
Items related to addressing issues arising from the pandemic and combating the spread of Covid-19 (including eligible expenditure incurred since the Irish FA suspension of football in March 2020) will be eligible for support under the funding scheme.
This may include, but not be limited to, clubs adapting and maintaining their facilities to help mitigate the possibility of spreading Covid-19, including promoting good hygiene, keeping facilities and equipment clean, maintaining social distancing and avoiding congestion.
It could also cover carrying out vital work in preparing and maintaining pitches (for a return to competition football) which may not have had their usual close-season maintenance due to budgetary constraints or contractor availability.
The funding might also help to meet some ongoing costs, including utility bills, insurances, affiliation fees, facility hire and enhanced cleaning requirements.
However, the support scheme will not cover activities or costs which are already covered by or claimed from other government funding/funding providers including rates, player and staff wages/expenses; capital works programmes, funding shortfalls or new activities and events.
The maximum funding allocation per club is £21,000 for NIFL Premiership teams, £7500 for NIFL Championship sides (subject to outcome of an appeal by PSNI FC) and £2000 for NIFL Premier Intermediate clubs (subject to PSNI appeal) and sides in intermediate leagues across Northern Ireland affiliated to the association.
All funding applications must be submitted by Monday 28 September 2020. Application forms received after this date will not be accepted. Only one application per club is permitted.
If clubs have any queries regarding the support scheme contact info@irishfa.com
