The disgraced John Delaney

One fact is that if finance doesn't come into fai quick then they fooked. Also I'm a bit surprised not more postings on this forum about MoU vote as for me after JD departure its the most important issue in future of irish football. As I said before blazers have now their chance to show whats more important... the future of irish football or themselves. Owens and Quinn were worried that vote wouldn't carry so smartly changed to 10 year rule. 

Obviously the FAI is far from a happy football family with staff caught up in all the mess.

Red Cow tomorrow at 4. Will report back here afterwards or over the weekend. Total sh|tshow at the moment.

Statement on behalf of Roy Barrett, Chairperson of The Board of the Football Association of Ireland

As chairperson of the Board of the Football Association of Ireland, I wish to highlight a number of facts around the Memorandum of Understanding with the Irish Government which I signed on behalf of the Association on January 30th last.

At a Board meeting of the FAI on January 28th, I updated my fellow directors on discussions with the various stakeholders and they mandated me to reach agreements with the Government, Bank of Ireland and UEFA on a financial package to secure the future of the Association.

Late on the evening of January 29th, I was furnished with a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Ireland and the Football Association of Ireland in respect of the restoration of funding and the provision of additional funding support to the FAI for the period 2020-2023.

On the morning of January 30th, I circulated the Memorandum of Understanding to my fellow Board members. Some expressed discontent with elements of the MoU via email but we had all previously accepted that the overriding need was to ensure the financial future of our Association. I subsequently had no hesitation in signing the MoU on behalf of the Association later that day.

The FAI released two statements (attached), both seen by the full Board, in support of the MoU that afternoon with quotes attributed to our President Gerry McAnaney and myself as chairperson of the Board of the FAI. Both statements welcomed the announcement of the Memorandum of Understanding by Minister Shane Ross and both the President and I thanked all involved in making the agreement possible. 

I also note a statement that day from Marc MacSharry TD, welcoming the agreement, calling it a fresh start for the Association and insisting that the conditions of the MoU must be adhered to https://www.fiannafail.ie/fai-deal-welcome-as-new-era-can-begin-for-irish-football-mac-sharry/

As we prepare for Friday’s Special Council meeting of the FAI, and for an EGM at the end of the month, it is vital that we don’t lose sight of the perilous financial situation that the Association was in last January and continues to face today. 

At this point it is imperative that we all work together as an Association to guarantee the funding becomes available to protect our game, our staff and football in Ireland. I look forward to discussing the MoU with Council on Friday and with our AGM members at our EGM on August 31st.

Whatever views people may have on the MoU, it has always been the case that the ultimate decision as to whether or not the MoU is agreed to and the funding is released, rests with voting members at the EGM.

Couldn't give any other objection to the 6&6 split other than "improper governance", only being able to say "sure what other organisation has that many independent directors". Couldn't give one example about how he raised concern for the improper governance of the previous board.

A spoofer, and a snakey one at that.

What is for sure; there seems to be a heave-ho against either one or all of Barrett, Owens and Quinn. I can’t see for the life of me what Barrett could have done in the normal course of business to piss them off - it’s not as if this is the only thing he does. My guess is that it’s the clique between the 3 of them that the Board aren’t comfortable with and will probably end with Owens and Quinn taking the high road in the near future. 

There is no doubt that the MOU will be approved on 31 August. They all know that and all elected Board members are therefore vying for re-election and 8 into 6 doesn’t go. If any one of them yesterday went out on their own and didn’t sign the statement; they may as well have resigned there and then. There is no particular love in with any of these from the newer Council members with less baggage. McAnaney doesn’t come out smelling like roses doing a big U turn and Barrett was happy to go down that road for whatever reason but these guys all have other priorities and know Council will not heed this when the time comes.

None of this would fill you with confidence but what’s new?