The Isle of Man Football Association’s council has rejected the chance to set-up a working committee to look into the pros and cons of the island applying to join Uefa.

The council, which is made up of representatives from the island’s 26 clubs, discussed the proposal at its latest meeting on Tuesday evening.

The Facebook page ’UEFA.IOM’, which is part of the Campaign 55 group co-ordinated by Brian Callow that has campaigned for the IoMFA to explore the possibility of joining European football’s governing body, posted the following later that evening: ’We tonight have to inform you of some extremely disappointing news.

’At the IoMFA council meeting a motion was put forward by St George’s AFC and seconded by Onchan AFC that a committee be established to investigate and report on the facts of applying and ramifications of joining UEFA was officially rejected by majority of the council members.

’We stress this was NOT a motion to apply to join UEFA but actually only to investigate it.

’The motion received only five votes for.

’We cannot comprehend the rationale behind this decision of majority of the clubs. Are they scared of the facts painting a picture they would rather not see?

’Players and members of clubs please ask your committees why they voted no.

’We feel this could be a very black day for Manx football.

A second post added: ’Firstly we will try to establish what happened at tonight’s meeting of the IoMFA council and how many actually attended.

’Secondly we will see what the reaction to this decision is publicly and then consider all options which of course will include disbanding.’