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2020-2021 Inter Insular Matches

The Channel Island Inter Insular Football Committee confirms that the decision has been taken to cancel all of the 2020/21 Inter Insular football matches.

Guernsey FA Chief Executive, and Inter-Insular Committee Secretary, Gary Roberts, outlined the reasoning behind the decision of the Committee:

“The continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and particularly the associated travel restrictions that currently remain in place between the Channel Islands, has resulted in the Inter Insular football taking the decision to cancel all of the scheduled annual matches for the current season. Whilst the decision is regrettable, all members of the Committee were united in reaching what has been the only viable decision, with the health and safety of players, coaches, supporters, and the wider island communities, at the forefront of the decision making.

The Committee remains fully committed to Inter Insular football and looks forward to ensuring these fixtures resume at the earliest opportunity, which will be when it is both viable and safe. The Committee remains hopeful that the situation in the Channel Islands will continue on the current positive trajectory, which will enable these historical fixtures to return to the football calendar in the 2021 season. ”

Jersey FA, and Inter-Insular Committee, President, Bradley Vowden added:

“This was a disappointing decision for the Committee to take, but the only practical and realistic one that could be taken in light of the circumstances. We have left this difficult decision as long as possible in order to provide the players from the Channel Islands the opportunity to play in these historic fixtures. In particular, the relevant age group Murattis where young people will have missed out due to the Pandemic and not get that opportunity again. However, the timescale for inter-island travel to resume without restrictions remains uncertain, and we have therefore now reached the point whereby it would be too difficult to successfully organise and host the various fixtures before the end of the season on 30th June.

The Committee will now focus on plans for the 2021/22 season and details of these fixtures will be announced in the months ahead.  In the meantime, we would again like to thank the sponsors of the various Muratti matches, including Close Finance CI and the Hotel Ambassadeur for their ongoing support and patience during these challenging times.”

Alderney FA Chairman Reg Atkins added

Alderney FA are disappointed that we have missed out on hosting Muratti matches on both the 100th and 101st Anniversaries of our sole win, but cancellation was the only safe option to continue the great work Dr. Brink and her associates have done to make our islands safe.