FAI reveal plans to reduce ticket prices

THE FAI last night confirmed plans to reduce ticket prices for international matches along with sweeping cost cutting measures including pay cuts and redundancies.

Chief Executive John Delaney admitted the sustained deterioration in the economic climate has created ‘challenges’ for the FAI which must be urgently tackled. He revealed: “Although we have already achieved significant cost savings in overheads and put in place numerous strong sponsorship agreements, we now have to implement further measures.

“While no one wants to see any staff leaving the organisation or salary reductions, we need to continue to operate within a prudent business plan which will ensure the improvements achieved for Irish football can be maintained.”

The announcement of a cut in ticket prices for internationals was included in a FAI release outlining the measures required to ensure the association “remains efficient and continues to deliver on its mandate to grow and develop football in Ireland”.

Officials confirmed that the cost savings will be made in three areas including salaries, reductions in staff levels and restructuring, with technical director Packie Bonner among those thought to be facing the axe. Junior staff will be exempt from salary reductions while other staff will face salary reductions of up to 5%.

Under the package, redundancies will also be made across various levels and departments. However officials insist the FAI will “continue to deliver its core programmes and focus on providing value for its stakeholders including affiliates and Government bodies”.

Meanwhile there has been cautious optimism from Irish sporting organisations in the wake of the government’s four-year plan for reducing the country’s Budget deficit. The Tourism, Culture & Sport sectors are expected to contribute savings of €76 million by 2014 with €26m set be slashed across the three areas next year.

Government chiefs aim to reduce funding for the Sports Council and National Sports Campus by €3m in 2011 while reductions in the allocations to sporting bodies and grants to local sports organisations will be introduced from 2012 onwards.

However Sports Minister Hanafin insisted sport has an important role to play in Irish society. She said: “Sport is an integral part of Irish life and culture. Participation in sports has a positive effect of individuals’ health and wellbeing.”

Irish Sports Council Chief Executive John Treacy welcomed those comments. He said: “Sport will be happy with the recognition from Minister Hanafin on its importance to the economic recovery.

“The Sports Council will have a budget that will allow it to continue its core programmes on high performance and participation as well as supporting governing bodies in their work.”

Chief Executive of the Federation of Irish Sports Sarah O’Connor added: “The news could have been worse considering the current climate. Our members are relatively happy.”