Eight left in quest for FAI hot seat

EIGHT candidates, including the interim holder of the post, John Delaney, are in the process of being interviewed for the job of Chief Executive of the FAI.

The five-man interview panel includes FAI president Milo Corcoran, the association’s secretary, Michael Cody, and Con Haugh, the Department of Sport official appointed to the Sports Council/FAI Liaison group by Minister John O’Donoghue.

The Sports Council’s nominee is Ronnie McBrien and the chairman is Dublin city manager John Fitzgerald.

It’s unclear whether some of the interviewees will be called back or if a final decision can be arrived at on the basis of the first round of interviews.

Last week the consultancy group Genesis, authors of the report which post-Saipan set out the path for significant reforms in the running of Irish football, met with FAI officials, including John Delaney, to discuss progress to date. It’s understood that Genesis plan to publish an updated report in the near future.

It was in the wake of the departure of former CEO Fran Rooney that Mr O’Donoghue insisted that, to meet the requirements of Genesis, the FAI publicly advertise the vacant Chief Executive position before a January 1 deadline.

A reported 40 applications were received, with Delaney widely considered to be the favourite for the job.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs has issued travel advice for Irish fans travelling to Tel Aviv for the World Cup game with Israel on Easter Saturday, March 26.

In the wake of the February 27 suicide bomb attack in the city, the department warns that “there remains a real risk of terrorist attacks.”

It calls for Irish fans to exercise “extra vigilance” in all public places and recommends against travel to the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and Israel’s northern border with Lebanon.

The department also “strongly recommends” that supporters obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance and warns that fans should be prepared for lengthy security checks as they fly in and out of Israel.

Further details can be obtained on the FAI and the Department of Foreign Affairs websites.