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.

It was decided to convene an extraordinary general meeting to vote the proposed changes into law and, in order for that to happen, it was necessary for the board of management to recommend the changes to the council. That was the purpose of tomorrow's meeting. Now, however, it is possible those board members who were openly critical this week of Mr Rooney will attempt to open a debate on issues raised by media reports.

Confirmation that matters within the management team at the FAI were far from cordial emerged over the weekend when FAI president Milo Corcoran and Mr Rooney exchanged letters.

Supporters of the chief executive suggest the complaints about the salary negotiations and his alleged management style as it affects staff are merely a cover for the real issue that there are those who do not like the changes that are on the way.

Opponents, meanwhile, suggest the FAI cannot afford to be tied to a salary package out of proportion to its annual income and suggest staff disquiet is well founded as the new regime takes hold.

It is hardly a propitious time for such a row, just days before Ireland play an important Euro 2004 qualifier against Russia.