THERE’S no sign of a thaw in the big freeze in relations between the FAI and FIFA after John Delaney branded Sepp Blatter an “embarrassment” and revealed that an offer of a Fair Play gong – due to be presented at last night’s World Player of the Year bash in Zurich – had been turned down.

IT’S a disease that won’t go away of its own volition. The ‘authorities’ that speak loudly of their intentions have, so far, failed utterly to address the problem.