Aborted eircom park project cost FAI €7.2m, delegates told

DELEGATES to the AGM of the FAI in Dublin today will be told that the aborted attempt to build eircom park cost the association €7.2 million.

FAI officers have now tied up all strands of the disastrous project and the fallout indicates just how expensive it was. The FAI would need the profits from at least four World Cup final tournaments to cover the loss.

The other financial reports before the meeting will offer delegates more pleasant reading. There are the profits from a very intensive programme of home international matches encompassing the World Cup qualifying ties and the play-off against Iran. As well there is the potential income from the deal with Sky that is now under fire from the Government. FAI officers are satisfied that Sky's four-year deal for 7.5m represents the market value of the home internationals and means they can expect a sum of this order from whatever source once all the legal ramifications are clarified.