Rooney in bid to ease tension

FAI chief executive Fran Rooney yesterday held a 90-minute clear-the-air meeting with staff members at Merrion Square headquarters.

The meeting was called on foot of newspaper reports that FAI staff members and some members of its officer board had been critical of Rooney's stewardship. Disquiet was also expressed at reports Rooney was negotiating a bonus that would boost his annual earnings from the FAI to more than 0.5 million.

The timing of this latest row within the FAI is significant. The 20-member board of management meet tomorrow at Citywest Hotel, Dublin, to clear the way for the sweeping rule changes calculated to produce a leaner, more efficient management structure agreed at the FAI's annual general meeting in Galway in July.