Clubs must make 'A' list

National League News: Despite widely expressed hopes to the contrary, it appears that Irish clubs intending to compete in this year's European club competitions will have to gain "A" licences.

The higher level certificates, that have so far eluded all but Derry City, will have to be secured by May 31st in order to guarantee places in the summer's opening rounds of the Champions League, UEFA Cup and Inter Toto Cup.

It has been suggested that the FAI would seek a derogation from the European body allowing Irish clubs to compete this season even if they have only obtained a "B" licence, but a UEFA spokesman said yesterday that the rule will be applied without exception this summer and that the Irish association has until May 31st to inform it of which clubs are eligible to participate. "It is not possible to delay it," he said. "It is the same for everyone. . . it starts in the 2004/05 season."

At present, the list of eligible Irish clubs would contain just one name. Derry City only avoided relegation from the Premier Division last year in the play-offs, but the Brandywell outfit would, under UEFA regulations, gain a place in one of the European competitions if Shelbourne, Bohemians, Longford or Cork City failed to meet the required standards.

Under a deal struck previously with football's European governing body, clubs here have been granted an additional year to bring their grounds up to the level required under the licensing programme. In areas such as finance, administration, coaching and youth development, however, they must meet the targets laid down in order to gain an "A" licence for the coming year and many clubs still have issues to address under some of these headings.

And while the quality of a club's ground will not prevent it playing in Europe, each stadium must meet UEFA standards in order to actually host a game.

The four Irish clubs were allocated around €2.5 million between them before Christmas in order to help them carry out the required improvements at their respective grounds, but the money has yet to arrive.

Because of the difficulties encountered by Premier Division clubs here in obtaining the "A" licences, permission is now also required from UEFA just to retain last season's 10-team top-flight league format for this year's campaign.

At a meeting last night of the league's management committee, club representatives were informed that the FAI has sought the necessary nod from Europe and that, despite UEFA's stated determination to see the integrity of their licensing scheme preserved, a positive reply is expected.

And so, in the face of continuing uncertainty, the refusal of Derry City to get involved in the process in any way and strong reservations of four first division clubs the meeting approved a fixture list for the coming campaign which is due to get under way next Friday week. Barring any dramatic intervention from Switzerland, champions Shelbourne will play at home to Shamrock Rovers while premier division newcomers Dublin City travel to Cork.