Soccer under disease threat - March 1,
2001
Foot and mouth disease, the dreaded agricultural plague which hit England last week, has been confirmed in Northern Ireland and is expected to be confirmed in the Republic of Ireland today, with suspected outbreaks in four counties.
GAA, rugby and horse-racing events have already been cancelled sine die - and soccer bosses are expected to follow suit when they meet with the Irish government's Department of Agriculture this morning.
The entire Eircom League and FAI Cup programme for this weekend will almost certainly be postponed - and if the suspected cases of foot and mouth are confirmed, the remainder of the domestic soccer season could well be scrapped, since the highly contagious disease would take a minimum of six weeks to eradicate by the slaughter of all infected herds and flocks.
Foot and mouth affects cattle, sheep and pigs but can be transmitted by humans, horses and other animals. The fear is that the movement of large crows - such as sporting spectators - would facilitate the spread of the disease to so-far unaffected areas.
If the remainder of the domestic season is scrapped, it could have the effect of forcing the Eircom League's hand on summer soccer. The 22 clubs were due to meet this month to decide on whether to switch the Irish season to the summer months.
But the foot and mouth outbreak may leave the FAI with no option but to try to complete the current season this summer.