Ahern to get tough with FAI on Sky deal

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern is to tell the FAI today that soccer fans must be allowed see home international games without subscription charges.

In a surprise move, the Taoiseach last night summoned FAI chiefs for a meeting with him today to discuss the fallout from the soccer authority’s controversial deal with Sky Television.

The deal, which came as a total surprise to the Government when announced a week ago, is set to net the FAI 7.5m over four years for exclusive TV rights to home games. FAI bosses said the RTÉ offer was way behind this and the money would be used to develop the game.