FAI take just 19 minutes to respond to Sport Ireland funding decision

On Monday, the FAI confirmed that John Delaney would appear before the Oireachtas Committee on Wednesday.

They also wrote in a statement that 'some recent comments made by the FAI did not accurately reflect the Board’s level of awareness of the existence of the €100,000 issue in 2017'. On Tuesday, Sport Ireland moved to suspend and withhold future funding to the Football Association of Ireland. On Tuesday, 19 minutes later, the FAI responded through Association President, Donal Conway.

'The Board of the Football Association of Ireland notes the decision of Sport Ireland to suspend and withhold the balance of funding due in 2019, as conveyed by letter this afternoon. It is unfortunate that Sport Ireland now feel compelled to take this action in the wake of recent events. 'The €2.7million funding Sport Ireland provides annually to the FAI is crucial to the development of an inclusive approach to football in Ireland. As indicated at its meeting with Sport Ireland last Friday and in recent correspondence, the Association is keen to restore trust and confidence and rebuild the relationship with Sport Ireland as soon as possible.  'The Association has committed to take all appropriate steps in this regard. I am fully confident that through the processes now in place, we will be in a position to satisfy Sport Ireland in relation to both governance and financial issues and ensure that the 50% balance of funding due for 2019 is restored at the appropriate time.'