The Medical Director of the FAI, Dr. Alan Byrne, says caution is paramount when it comes to the resumption of training for League of Ireland clubs.
The Irish clubs involved in European competition, Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers, Derry City and Bohemians will return to training on June 8th.
There is uncertainty over when qualifiers for the Champions League and Europa League can resume, while there are tentative steps from the FAI to potentially hold a four team pilot tournament with these clubs at the Aviva Stadium around the end of July.
These training sessions and the tournament will be instructive around how all football may be rolled out across the country over the coming months.
Byrne told FAI TV that the risk of the coronavirus being present in the environment isn't negligible.
"We'll start off training on the 8th of June, but we'll have tested the players with the co-operation of the medical staff and the coaching staff in the four clubs. We'll build a picture of what it's like to train in social distance and non contact situations. I think it's important to remember that there's no zero risk for anybody in this situation."
He added that safety is more important than speed at this juncture.
"We have to get this down to an acceptable risk, so that when we finally open football throughout the country for amateur, grassroots and underage level, that we can stand over our methodology and our game. So that's really where we are, starting off with the professional game, starting off in a measured and deliberate way. I think to rush anything through at this stage would be irresponsible and careless on our behalf."
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