Legal Challenge Over Northern Ireland Football Fund Set for May
A legal challenge initiated by two football clubs excluded from the multi-million pound Northern Ireland Football Fund is scheduled to be heard in May, according to a High Court judge.
The clubs are pursuing a judicial review of the Department for Communities' decision to exclude them from the second stage of the funding programme.
Legal representatives for both clubs argue that the department's decision was irrational, procedurally unfair, and violated the policy governing funding bid assessments.
On Tuesday, Mr Justice Fowler confirmed that a two-day hearing would proceed in May.
Background of the Football Fund
The Football Fund, designed to enhance stadiums and infrastructure throughout Northern Ireland, was allocated an initial budget of £36.2 million by the Stormont Executive.
Out of 41 clubs eligible to apply, 38 submitted bids during the first phase of the process.
Funding was available in three tiers, determined by the scale of the proposed projects.
In September of the previous year, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announced that 20 clubs from across Northern Ireland had successfully advanced to the next stage.
However, North Belfast’s Crusaders, competing in the Irish Premiership, and League of Ireland club Derry City were both completely excluded from progressing.
Current Legal Proceedings
The clubs are seeking a court order to have the funding decisions overturned.
During Tuesday’s preliminary hearing, the Department’s barrister, Philip McAteer, indicated that correspondence has been sent to Crusaders and Derry City outlining the subsequent steps in the process.
Counsel for both clubs, Stephen Toal KC, concurred that the case should proceed to a full judicial review application.
