Decision on Fahy's fate delayed as FAI internal woes continue

FAI HONORARY secretary Kevin Fahy has won the first round of the battle to retain his position in the association after president Milo Corcoran stalled on his decision to call for the sacking of the Galway man yesterday.

After four hours of deliberation at a meeting of the board of management in Merrion Square, the FAI made it clear it will continue to seek the ousting of Fahy - but only when a full meeting of the 60 members of council is called.

"I will, as of right, be attending the Annual General Meeting of the Association at Derry's Millennium Centre on Saturday," Mr Fahy said last night.

"I look forward to presenting my views to the full council on the current situation. That is the proper forum," he added.

Mr Fahy, who has made significant strides with schools football over the years, has asked a number of questions on the current handling of FAI finances - but says he has not received satisfactory answers to date.

Legal advice has been sought by both sides in the dispute.

But while Mr Fahy may have won the first battle, no victor has yet emerged.

Mr Fahy's future role will definitely not be on the agenda when he takes his place on the podium in Derry tomorrow. In time-honoured FAI tradition, this story will run and run.

Mr Fahy's solicitors had warned the FAI that an expulsion meeting cannot be called under Article 38. They argued that, under the memorandum of association, only the council can dismiss Mr Fahy, and even then it can only do so if two-thirds of the 60 members agree.

Mr Fahy has been accused of being resistant to change and an obstacle to the decision-making process, but he believes he is being targeted for pursuing answers in relation to the association's finances.

The board of management proceeded with yesterday's meeting, despite Mr Corcoran's decision not to put his proposal to remove the honorary secretary before the board.

"I have chosen not to raise my proposal and instead I have decided to put that proposal to the council of the association," Mr Corcoran said.

"I am satisfied on legal advice that I was, and remain entitled to ask the board, to consider my proposal and make a decision on same."

Mr Corcoran said that he had chosen not to proceed with the proposal in Mr Fahy's absence.

"It is important that we do our business properly and I want to afford the honorary secretary every opportunity to respond to my concerns within the association.

"I (also) wish to give the council, representing the wider family of football, the opportunity to hear the issues that concern me and to decide on the matter.

"I have therefore requested that a council meeting be held as soon as possible to deal with this matter" Mr Corcoran added.