John Delaney finally spoke about the famous FIFA payment to the FAI on the The Ray D'Arcy Show today.
In the last few minutes, FIFA have released a statement clarifying the reasons behind the payment.
The payment was motivated by a desire to ward off a prolonged dispute between the FAI and FIFA. Following the Thierry Henry handball, which FIFA acknowledge 'led indirectly' to a goal against the Irish team, they decided to 'enter into an arrangement' with the FAI.
There is one important new detail in their explanation. The payment in question was in fact 'a loan.'
In their statement, FIFA claim that the $5 million USD payment in question was 'a loan for the construction of a stadium in Ireland'.
The arrangement was the loan would be paid back should Ireland qualify for the 2014 World Cup.
Fortunately, Ireland did not qualify for the World Cup, and FIFA, also mindful of the FAI's financial position, wrote off the loan at the end of 2014.
The big question is - what stadium are they talking about?
The one that obviously springs to mind is the Aviva (it can only be that one) which was, of course, almost built at that time. It opened in May 2010 at a cost of €410 million.
Statement from @FIFAcom re payout to @FAIrelandpic.twitter.com/kggy8D1UZM
— Neil O'Riordan (@noriordan) June 4, 2015
