A major moment told through the medium of the wireless, The Ray D’Arcy Show and an FAI chief executive that crusaded against a FIFA regime he knew to be rotten.
John Delaney threw a wrench into the internet on Thursday afternoon when he confirmed, on RTE Radio One, that the FAI had accepted a payment from FIFA (believed to be in the region of €5 million) to stand down potential legal proceedings against them following the Thierry Henry hand-ball fiasco in 2009.
Delaney’s remarks made an instant impact with a global media thirsty for any news of payments made by FIFA over the last 20 years that may not, on the face of it, have seemed entirely necessary.
And with the arrival on Irish shores any minute now of the very same English media who kept the campaign against Sepp Blatter going for years after nearly all others lost hope, this could have some mileage yet.
The Guardian immediately began liveblogging the reaction to the FAI chief’s comments
The Huffington Post were stunned linking to a since-deleted RTE tweet
WOW. Delaney is the head of the Football Association of Ireland. https://t.co/SDOU1pqe8i
— HuffPost Sports (@HuffPostSports) June 4, 2015
While renowned French journalist also couldn’t quite believe what he heard
What? Quoi? Que? Was? https://t.co/35dxdD6MkQ
— Philippe Auclair (@PhilippeAuclair) June 4, 2015
So, apparently, @MiguelDelaney took a €5m bribe from FIFA, or something like that. I may be a bit confused. Confusing times, after all.
— Philippe Auclair (@PhilippeAuclair) June 4, 2015
Oliver Kay of The Times struggled to comprehend the stupidity of it all
That Fifa/FAI compensation story was long rumoured. I never believed it. Didn't think Fifa stupid enough to set that precedent. I was wrong.
— Oliver Kay (@OliverKay) June 4, 2015
As did Andrew McKenna, of talkSPORT
What the??? @rte are quoting John Delaney saying FIFA paid the FAI €5m to not proceed with legal proceedings following the Henry handball
— Andrew McKenna (@talkMacca) June 4, 2015
While his comments made an impression on Elmer Polanco, one of ESPN’s Latin American correspondents
El Presidente de la #FAI John Delaney confirma que #FIFA les pago €5 million en 2009,despues de la mano de Thierry Henry y frenar demandas.
— Elmer Polanco (@PolancoESA) June 4, 2015
Gabrielle Marcotti wondered why we are only hearing about this now
@OliverKayTimes any1 ask Delaney why he didn't talk abt this b4?
— Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) June 4, 2015
The US edition of the Guardian was also on the case
Fifa made payment to FAI after Thierry Henry handball, claims John Delaney http://t.co/YW8saa19nO
— Guardian US (@GuardianUS) June 4, 2015
While those with a focus on Irish football simply wondered whatever happened to this FIFA handout
https://twitter.com/alansmith90/status/606509595356483584
