Northern Ireland Football League chief executive Gerard Lawlor has welcomed the approval of their proposal over Sunday football at the Irish FA’s AGM.

After a previous amendment failed two years ago NIFL gained a 76% majority to their latest proposal on Monday evening with the caveat that Irish League clubs had the option to opt in or out through their participation agreement.

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Now matches in the top three flights of football in Northern Ireland, which come under NIFL’s jurisdiction, could be played on any day of the week and Lawlor said football here “must evolve or risk being left behind”.

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“The NIFL Board holds firm in its belief that being professional is more than a label, it is a standard we must reach and uphold in every sense,” he said.

“The landscape of professional football is changing rapidly throughout the world, and Northern Ireland must evolve with it, or risk being left behind.

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“We are pleased with the outcome and look forward to further engagement and implementation with our member clubs.”

Sunday football has always been a topic for debate in the Irish League with clubs split over the playing of games with some citing their religious beliefs for deciding not to play.

Matches have increased on Sundays in recent years with Larne rescheduling a number of their league fixtures due to their participation in last season’s UEFA Conference League group stages.

The VBET Women’s League Cup final between Cliftonville and Glentoran was played last Sunday.

The last four BetMcLean Cup finals have also been played on a Sunday with last season’s meeting between the Reds and the Glens setting a new NIFL attendance record of 14,539 supporters.

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“The data is clear: traditional Saturday afternoon attendances are in decline. We must recognise this and respond accordingly,” Lawlor posted on ‘X’ ahead of Monday’s vote.

“This is not a debate of tradition versus change, it is about responding to reality with a forward-thinking approach.

“The flexibility offered by this proposal allows for fixtures to be played on Wednesday or Thursday evenings, creating new opportunities for increased visibility, enhanced commercial value, and improved fan engagement.”

The Irish FA’s rules stated “no match shall be played within Northern Ireland on a Sunday unless the two participating clubs and competition organisers agree to do so”.

This proposal will only apply to NIFL competitions, which are the three men’s top divisions, the Women’s Premiership and their respective League Cup competitions.