Sky deal with FAI 'cannot be changed'

THE Sky television deal for exclusive rights to Ireland's home soccer internationals cannot be changed by backdating legislation, the Football Association of Ireland has repeated.

The association said its legal advice remained the same - that legislation which prevents restrictions on the viewing of specially designated sporting events cannot be applied retrospectively - although management conceded the issue may end up in the courts or before the EU before it is resolved.

The deal, which is worth 7.6 million euro to the FAI over the next four years, met little opposition when it was discussed at the association’s annual general meeting in Dublin at the weekend, even though the controversy left the gathering without their traditional government guest to formally open the event.