Northern Ireland's IFA Premiership and Championship matches tomorrow have been postponed after the appointed referees made themselves unavailable in a row over payments. Referees are seeking increased payments for handling matches.

Talks between the Irish FA and Referees' Association broke down today and it was confirmed by the IFA that tomorrow's season-opening programme of fixtures would have to be rescheduled.

IFA president Raymond Kennedy said: "This is a sad day for football.

"I felt that the Irish FA had provided a viable solution for matches to go ahead in the IFA Premiership and IFA Championship tomorrow and I extend my sincere apologies to all those affected by this late postponement of the league programme."