WHEATON, Ill. (AP) – A judge has rejected an effort by parents to put high school athletes back on the playing field, saying the Illinois High School Association is within its rights to delay sports for safety reasons.

The parents of four high school athletes sued the IHSA, saying the association violated its own rules in delaying football, boys soccer and girls volleyball.

In his ruling Thursday denying a temporary restraining order, DuPage County Circuit Judge Paul Fullerton noted the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the IHSA was acting within its authority.

Attorney Jeffrey Widman argued the IHSA acted without the consent of its member schools.