Delaney takes FAI hot seat

SPORTS Minister John O’Donoghue believes that the FAI should “comprise a minority” on the interview panel to select a new chief executive for the Association.

Mr O’Donoghue told the Irish Examiner said last night that his preference was for a five-person interview panel of two FAI representatives, one representative each from his Department and the Sports Council, as well as an independent chairperson.

The minister was speaking after Merrion Square announced the appointment yesterday of treasurer, John Delaney, as interim chief executive. Following the dispute that emerged with the Minister last week over the non-advertising of the position, the Association’s chairman Milo Corcoran once again pledged to advertise both the CEO and financial director posts.

Last night, the minister said: “Naturally the FAI should be represented on the panel. I have no difficulty with that. What’s important is that the public see that the appointment is open and transparent. The only way they can achieve that is ensuring there is an equivalence or balance on the interview board.”

He added that he was still insisting that the Genesis Report on the FAI be implemented without prevarication.

“As far as I am concerned Pancho Villa can be a candidate. If I were to say at this stage that I was against John Delaney getting the job, it would be the antithesis of what I said earlier,” the minister added.

Delaney yesterday announced that he had accepted the position of CEO on an interim basis and is taking up the role with immediate effect.

The former Honorary Treasurer of the Association is also expected to throw his hat in the ring when the permanent position is advertised before January 1.

Delaney had been recommended for the interim post at Board of Management and National Council meetings two weeks ago, but when the FAI failed to indicate on the same day that they were prepared to publicly advertise the positions of CEO and Financial Director, they ran into fierce criticism from the minister, who threatened to cut off Government funding if the Association didn’t fulfil the terms of the Genesis report.

In the fall-out from the uncompromising nature of the Government response, the apparent unanimity of the decision to back Delaney quickly began to show cracks. Some delegates complained that the FAI had walked themselves into another damaging controversy, but others argued that they should not allow themselves to be bullied by the Government.

A subsequent statement from Delaney, to the effect that the positions would indeed be advertised in line with Government demands, calmed the situation, restored better relations and paved the way for his appointment as interim CEO, a position which had become vacant following the controversial departure of Fran Rooney.

The Government has always made it clear that they would have no problem with the appointment of CEO on an interim basis, as long as the permanent positions were advertised before the New Year.

FAI President Milo Corcoran yesterday welcomed Delaney’s decision which he had taken after consulting his family and his employers, the Waterford-based ABX Logistics.

“John brings to the position of Chief Executive Officer a wealth of experience and knowledge from within football and a very successful track record as a businessman,” said the FAI President. “I know that John will enjoy widespread respect not just from within the football community but from the world of business also, as he deals with the issues and challenges which face the Association in the immediate future.

“Among the Association’s key priorities will be to work hard on our relationships with Government, sponsors, staff, those who play the game and our fans,” he added.

Delaney, who will address a press conference in Dublin this morning, added: “I look forward to meeting the challenges which lie ahead.”

Meanwhile, north of the border, Irish FA General Secretary David Bowen has insisted that it remains business as usual for him at Windsor Avenue.

The comments come just a week after it was revealed that Howard Wells had been appointed the new Chief Executive of the Association - a job that most employees in the IFA feel Bowen does already.

Despite the widely held view that Bowen is leaving the IFA, for the time being at least, he remains very much in charge of the administration of the governing body.