FAI welcome UEFA funding

THE FAI have welcomed UEFA’s decision to award €1.5 million in development money for the game in Ireland.

The funding, which was announced in Budapest yesterday, comes in response to an application by the FAI, and will go towards implementation of the Association’s ambitious Technical Development Plan, a five-year programme for the development of the game at all levels.

Welcoming UEFA’s approval of the money, FAI chief executive John Delaney said: “The overall investment in developing the game at home will amount to €10m in 2006 and with non-qualification for the World Cup this year, receiving the UEFA contribution is particularly welcome.”