Limerick-FAI row enters arbitration

LIMERICK have welcomed the decision of the High Court to appoint an arbitrator in their dispute with the FAI over last summer’s cancelled friendly game against Barcelona.

The FAI refused to sanction the game against the Catalan giants on the basis of a third-party agreement — subsequently revealed to be with Endemol — which meant the association could not give the go-ahead to club friendlies in venues with a more than 15,000 capacity.

Speaking outside the High Court yesterday, Limerick chairman Pat O’Sullivan said: “Michael Collins SC has been appointed by the court as arbitrator today and while it is unfortunate that it had to come as far as going to the High Court, we are delighted that arbitration will now begin immediately. We will now leave the next stage of the process in the hands of our legal team.”

A spokesman added that Limerick hoped the process would vindicate the club’s handling of preparations for the Barcelona friendly as well as opening up the possibility of similar fixtures being organised in the future. Depending on the outcome of the process, it’s understood the club believes it could also be entitled to compensation.

In a statement, the FAI said that it had agreed to enter mediation with the First Division club but added: “The FAI regrets that money spent on this course of action will be lost to the sport. What is decided during the mediation process with Limerick FC could have broader ramifications for the funding and development of football at all levels.”