This one could get nasty.
Following the press conference earlier where 14 members of the Women's National Team alleged that the FAI's treatment of them was not becoming of an international team at the top level, the FAI have responded by suggesting the players have ignored the offer of mediation and financial offers made to them.
— PFA Ireland (@PFAIOfficial) April 4, 2017
The FAI statement, which begins by saying they are deeply disappointed that members of the team have threatened to withdraw from their game against Slovakia next Monday (they said the training camp for the game may be in jeopardy) outlines what the FAI says have been repeated attempts to deal with the issues at hand over the past few months.
FAI Statement:
The Football Association of Ireland is deeply disappointed that members of the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team have threatened to withdraw from playing for their country in the upcoming match versus Slovakia on April 10, 2017.
The ultimatum by the players concerned comes in spite of repeated invitations from the FAI to the Players to discuss clear and tangible financial offers for the payment and compensation of members of the squad.
Repeated efforts by the Association have been made in a bid to encourage the players to row back from their unprecedented ultimatum.
On five occasions in recent months the FAI has attempted to bring the Players to the table, only to have the offer rebuked at every turn.
Efforts to engage the team, in good faith, have taken place on the following dates.
- October 16
- March 22
- March 28
- March 31
- April 2
The Association has agreed to a mediation process, yet the players have decided to progress regardless with a PFAI press conference, instead of meeting through an agreed mediator.
Along with the core issues of Player representation and financial payments, the FAI has made considerable progress on matters outlined by the Players in their list of ‘Issues to be addressed’ last year. However, all efforts to meet directly and discuss these matters have been refused.
Proposals to address issues raised in the following areas have been prepared/implemented:
- nutrition and strength and conditioning
- high performance gym access
- hotel accommodation and wifi
- apparel for travel
- goal-keeping coach
- financial offer
The Senior Women’s National Team are provided the standards of care expected of a demanding high performance environment, with top level training facilities, hotel accommodation, dietry, fitness, performance analysis and medical and physio care.
The team has also received significant increases in budget in recent years to attain this high standard, as well as the appointment of a Champions League winning coach.
Separate to the financial offers that the Association has attempted to make to the players, detailed submissions have been sent to Sport Ireland and Government in January 2016, May 2016 and January 2017, to request funding models that address the personal commitments made by players at senior level.
According PFAI solicitor Stuart Gilhooley, the issue has been ongoing for over two years and most of the correspondence was one-way.
The FAI said they brought up the matter in October last year, which would seem to bear that out, and then not again until March 22nd, two weeks ago, when the issue was obviously coming to the fore.
UPDATE: In the last few minutes, PFAI Solicitor Stuart Gilhooly has tweeted a response to the FAI's statement, calling it "typically unhelpful" and urged them to contact the PFAI.
Statement from FAI typically unhelpful. Doesn't deal with the issues, means situation still in limbo. They just need to phone @PFAIOfficial
— Stuart Gilhooly (@PFAISolicitor) April 4, 2017
