FAI say RTÉ row not about Delaney’s salary

THE FAI have confirmed that they have lodged a complaint with RTÉ concerning a July 16 edition of ‘Saturday Sport’ on Radio One which has seen the programme’s presenter Des Cahill effectively blackballed by the association.

However, following media reports, the association yesterday said its complaint does not relate to questions the presenter raised about chief executive John Delaney’s €400,000 salary.

The issue came to light when RTÉ requested an interview for today’s ‘Saturday Sport’ with U19 Ireland manager Paul Doolin and were taken aback to be told, in an email reply from the FAI, that “there is to be no engagement with Des Cahill as there is a complaint currently lodged from the association.”

The station were further informed by the FAI that if another presenter conducted the interview the association would facilitate the request. The association yesterday denied that their concerns had anything to do with mention of John Delaney’s salary during the programme.

However, it’s understood the FAI have complained about the “tone” of some of the presenter’s comments and have also sought clarification on statements about the running of domestic Irish football made by other contributors to the programme.

John Delaney is currently unavailable for comment as he is in Brazil for this evening’s 2014 World Cup qualification draw.

But, in a statement, the FAI said it wished to clarify that “the complaint made by the association to RTÉ is not related to any salary matters. It relates to comments made about the association and company-related matters.

“Since this is a legal issue in the hands of solicitors, we will not be making any further comment.”