FAI clarifies ‘Fifa Ireland’ status
Delaney revealed he had concerns at the time that FAI officials were on the board of directors of Fifa Ireland, but said he was reassured there was no need for concern on the matter.
“We looked for an indemnity so that any transactions of that company would not affect the FAI in any way. When I checked the minutes, going back 14 years ago, I was relieved and happy that we did that because even back then, there was a lot of complaints about Blatter. When this company was established, I and the other board members wanted blue water between the FAI and Fifa.
“It was a legitimate company as I understand it, an intellectual property rights company for the Word Cup in 2002 and availing of a cheaper tax rate. My own view for what it is worth was that we (FAI) shouldn’t have been anywhere near it at the time. Our job was to develop football in Ireland.”
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Delaney, speaking on RTÉ Radio 1’s Ray D’Arcy Show, explained: “In 2001, there was a World Cup coming up in Japan and Korea and our president at the time, Milo Corcoran and our general secretary Brendan Menton were asked to serve on the board of a company — Fifa Ireland — formed in Ireland for tax breaks.
“I’m the honorary treasurer at the time and at a meeting in October 2001 it was announced that the two lads had agreed to serve on this company. Myself and (former honorary secretary) Michael Cody objected and said they should have come to the FAI board first before agreeing to this.
“I just think the FAI is there to run football. I didn’t think that we should be having directors in any other company that would be outside of our remit. But the two gentleman had accepted the invitation at that stage and we looked for safeguards to be put in place.” Fifa’s Irish business was in existence for seven years and was voluntarily liquidated in 2008. The company received millions of euro in revenue from the sale of licensing rights in relation to the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
“I don’t know the ins and out of it,” added Delaney. “But when it was brought to my attention, I would have expressed my concerns. But if matters have to be looked into, that is a matter for other people and not for me. I would welcome it because I want to be sure that any company in Ireland, not just this company, that Fifa would have been involved in, that it operated correctly and to proper governance.”
Have you heard John Delaney's interview on the Ray D'Arcy Show today? It's gone worldwide! http://t.co/5SX6dEplqS pic.twitter.com/ScLPveblsI
— RTÉ Radio 1 (@RTERadio1) June 4, 2015
Meanwhile, Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill says that while he doesn’t need to be convinced of striker Daryl Murphy’s qualities, there is still a significant psychological challenge involved in taking club form onto the international stage.
Ipswich Town’s Murphy was the leading Irish scorer in the top two divisions in England this season and, with Robbie Keane due to sit out the England game on Sunday, could be in with a chance of starting at the Aviva after doing just that in yesterday’s behind-closed-doors training game against Northern Ireland.
“It’s not about convincing me,” says O’Neill of the Waterford striker. “I’ve seen him play probably eight times this season and know what he’s capable of doing at club level. Mick McCarthy has got the best out of him. There is a psychological feeling of stepping up and going into international matches. It’s about getting the self-confidence that he has at club level and feeling you belong on that stage. It’s not a question of me not accepting he’s a good player, as he certainly is.”
Murphy wasn’t able to add to his season’s tally in yesterday’s affair which saw Michael O’Neill’s visiting side don an all-blue strip and the ball boys including celebrated Republic fan Davy Keogh. But even though the game ended scoreless, O’Neill feels it served its intended purpose as a fitness-sharpener in the long build-up to Sunday’s week’s Euro qualifier against Scotland.
“It was a very good exercise, exactly what I wanted and much needed. We played two different teams for each half of 45 minutes, which was what Michael (O’Neill) wanted and I was happy to go along with that. Lots of our players were blowing quite hard after their 45 minutes which was equivalent to a couple of training sessions. Northern Ireland started very brightly, Kieren Westwood made a very good save early on, then Aiden McGeady had a fantastic shot. Not too many chances, to be honest.”
Injury concerns Wes Hoolahan and Jon Waters arrived in camp yesterday but took no part in the game at the Aviva.
O’Neill expects the pair to “do a bit” at training in Malahide this morning but is still unsure if the game against England might come just a tad too soon for them.
Westwood; Christie, Pearce, Keogh, Ward; McGeady, Hendrick, Arter, McClean; McGoldrick, Murphy.
Forde; Coleman, O’Shea, Wilson, McShane; Meyler, Whelan, McCarthy, Brady; Quinn; Long.
Given, Hoolahan, Walters, Randolph, Keane.
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