2021 Muratti Vase cancelled due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.ZIPFO

 2021 Muratti Vase cancelled due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.ZIPFO

The Muratti Vase has been cancelled for the second successive year thanks to Guernsey's Covid-19 travel rules.

The annual tournament between Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney was cancelled in 2020 for the primary time since war Two thanks to the pandemic.

Guernsey's rules require anyone coming to the island to self-isolate for every week , ruling out travel for the sport .

Matches at women's and youth levels between Jersey and Guernsey sides have also been cancelled.

"This was a disappointing decision for the committee to require , but the sole practical and realistic one that would be taken in light of the circumstances," Jersey Football Association and Inter-Insular Committee president Bradley Vowden said.

"We have left this difficult decision as long as possible so as to supply the players from the Channel Islands the chance to play in these historic fixtures.

"However, the timescale for inter-island visit resume without restrictions remains uncertain, and that we have therefore now reached the purpose whereby it might be too difficult to successfully organise and host the varied fixtures before the top of the season on 30 June."

'Fully committed'

Last month the authorities delayed a choice on this season's match as they awaited more clarity on the travel situation between islands.

But Guernsey remains requiring a minimum seven-day isolation period and mandatory Covid-19 tests, so any match between the 2 amateur sides is unfeasible as players, coaches and support staff would need to isolate either before a game in Guernsey or after coming back from a match in Jersey.

There was controversy earlier this month when British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland was given special dispensation to return to Guernsey without isolating so as to seem a possible training facilities - he later chose Jersey for his or her pre-tour camp.

Both Jersey and Guernsey have restarted their domestic football leagues after shutdowns thanks to rises in cases, while Jersey's Football Combination side travelled to Dorset on Tuesday for his or her victorious FA Inter-League Cup semi-final after the island relaxed travel rules.

The match can't be delayed until the beginning of next season because it would hit the fixtures of Jersey Bulls and Guernsey FC, who both play within the English league system.

Guernsey FA chief executive Gary Roberts said: "The committee remains fully committed to Inter Insular football and appears forward to making sure these fixtures resume at the earliest opportunity, which can be when it's both viable and safe.

"The committee remains hopeful that things within the Channel Islands will continue on the present positive trajectory, which can enable these historical fixtures to return to the football calendar within the 2021 season."

Jersey won the men's Muratti when it had been last played in 2019 - they beat Guernsey 3-1 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.

Jersey have won the title 56 times, with Guernsey having been victorious on 47 times and Alderney's solitary win came in 1920 once they beat Guernsey 1-0 in St Helier.