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The Irish League season has been shelved for a further four weeks after the Irish FA opted to extend its initial suspension of football here until April 30.

The Danske Bank Premiership and all domestic and grassroots football had originally been parked until April 4 due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

But members of the Irish FA board, who held talks earlier today, have moved to extend the suspension until the end of next month.

An IFA statement said the decision was “subject to an ongoing review of the evolving situation around coronavirus (Covid-19).”

It was also made with “public health and equally the health and safety of players, match officials, staff and volunteers front of mind.”

The matter will be kept under constant review and it means no affiliated football will be played in Northern Ireland until that time.

The NI Football League set up a a steering group last week to assist clubs amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. It is also looking at options for concluding the league before June 30.

Seven rounds of Danske Bank Premiership fixtures remain with Linfield leading Coleraine by four points at the top of the table.

The Irish Cup is also at the semi-final stage with Cliftonville and Glentoran and Coleraine and Ballymena United scheduled to meet in the last-four of the blue riband competition.