Limerick fury as FAI block Barca game
The First Division club says that, after lengthy negotiations with last year’s European champions, apparently brokered by a UK-based agent, agreement had been reached that a game would take place on July 31st at Thomond Park, subject to the necessary official sanctioning by the Football Association of Ireland. Under the terms of the agreement, Limerick also say that Barcelona had guaranteed appearances in the game by the side’s marquee names, including world player of the year Lionel Messi.
However, Limerick were yesterday informed by Airtricity League Director Fran Gavin that the match could not go ahead. Responding in a statement, the club said: “The failure of the FAI and Airtricity League Director to sanction this game ensures that fans throughout the Mid West region and beyond will not have the opportunity to see the world’s greatest stars in action.”
Limerick chairman Pat O’Sullivan called for the decision to be reversed.
“This is a massive setback for Limerick FC, Limerick City and the Mid-West region,” he said. “We, along with Thomond Park and local tourism bodies have worked tirelessly to bring a team of the stature of FC Barcelona to the sports mad Mid-West region. The potential benefit to the local economy of up to €10million and to the profile of soccer in the region is enormous. This makes it imperative that the Airtricity League Director reverse his decision, sanction this match and allow fans all over the region see the likes of Lionel Messi grace Thomond Park in July.”
According to Limerick, the reason given for the refusal to sanction the game was that it clashed with Airtricity League fixtures taking place on the same day but sources at the club argue that those three games – one in the Premier Division and two in the First – are all evening kick offs while the Barca matched was planned to kick off at 3pm. It’s understood that the communication from Fran Gavin also referred to concerns that the timing of the game could cause problems in terms of other fixtures having to be rescheduled because of Irish clubs being involved in European competition
However, last night FAI gave additional reasons for their refusal to sanction the game, including the revelation they are in negotiations with Barça to bring the club to Dublin.
According to a three-point statement from Abbotstown: “1) As the FAI has already told Limerick FC, their request for authorisation to confirm to FC Barcelona that they would be able to play in Ireland on July 31, was refused because of third party commercial agreements which prevent the Association from doing so.
“2) In addition, the FAI has also told Limerick FC that it is in active and ongoing negotiations with FC Barcelona in relation to a visit to the Aviva Stadium.
“3) Thirdly, the Association told Limerick FC that it was obliged to retain ownership of the July 31 date because of Airtricity League fixtures.”
The FAI added that it had already given permission to Limerick to for a match involving Sunderland in Thomond Park on July 13.
The first week in August is set to be a big one for the FAI with the opening games at the Aviva Stadium taking place when Manchester United play an Airtricity League XI on the fourth, followed by the first international match at the new venue, a friendly between Ireland and Lionel Messi’s Argentina, on August 11.
The United match, the first soccer game at the Aviva Stadium, could clash with European ties for Irish clubs with Bohemians potentially playing in the second leg of the Champions League third qualifying round – should they get that far – and the likes of Shamrock Rovers, Sporting Fingal or Dundalk perhaps contesting the second legs of Europa League third qualifying round ties just 24 hours later.
The plan to bring Barcelona to Shannonside follows last year’s successful pre-season trip to Ireland by Real Madrid which culminated in a high-profile friendly game against Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.
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