As rumours continue to swirl about John Delaney's future in the FAI, the Association have released a statement this evening. However, it has nothing to do with the status of the recently appointed Executive Vice President.
Instead, the latest instalment of the FAI's never ending stream of statements addresses the news that Sport Ireland have suspended their funding to the Association. In essence, it says that steps will be taken to restore any lost confidence in the the governing body of Irish football, and to ensure the return of the funding:
Football Association of Ireland statement says nothing on future of John Delaney but says "the FAI wants to ensure that all those who play football across Ireland do not suffer as a result of the actions of the Association" pic.twitter.com/CNSgH7PXa8
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) April 14, 2019
The Board of the Football Association of Ireland notes the comments made today by the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Sport, Shane Ross, and by Deputy Fergus O’Dowd, chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Sport.
The Association wishes to assure all parties that it is taking many urgent steps to address its current governance and financial issues. The Board of the Association will meet again tomorrow to review these steps...
The FAI is engaging with Sport Ireland on the composition of a new new governance with additional independent members and the appointment of an independent person to the committee of the board examining the current issues...
The FAI wants to ensure that all those who play football across Ireland do not suffer as a result of the actions of the Association.
The board of the FAI acknowledges that the €2.7m Sport Ireland provides to the FAI and the Sports Capital Grants, also funded by the taxpayer, are crucial to football and every sep will be taken to ensure these continue at the earliest time possible.
Well, there you go. The loss of taxpayer funding would be major blow the FAI, especially at grassroots level. That money is key in ensuring funds are available at lowest part of the football pyramid, and any extended absence would likely have disastrous consequences.
We get the feeling this will not be the last FAI statement we see in the near future.
