Fans take flight in John Delaney protest

A disgruntled group of Republic of Ireland supporters have organised a plane protest against FAI chief executive John Delaney ahead of today’s crucial Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland.

The group have commissioned the plane to circle the Aviva Stadium for an hour, between 3.50pm and 4.50pm, before the match kicks off at 5pm.

The plane will display a banner with the words: ‘Enough is enough — Delaney out’.

The group organising the protest, who are not affiliated with supporters group You Boys In Green (YBIG), released a lengthy statement outlining their issues with Delaney.

The statement reads: “Irish football fans from around the world have come together to unite behind the removal of John Delaney by hiring a plane to circle Dublin and in particular Lansdowne Road on Saturday ahead of the vital Euro 2016 qualifier with Scotland.

“We took the decision to book the plane to fly between 3:50pm and 4:50pm to ensure that there would be no distraction from the crucial football match taking place at 5pm.”

The statement also criticises “heavy security” during a “peaceful protest” ahead of last weekend’s friendly against England.

“Male and female fans were subjected to intense searches when entering the turnstiles outside the Singing Section. However, this was not carried out in other parts of the ground.

“These acts are a clear attempt to silence those that simply wished to display their dismay at how football is being run in this country.

“Stewards told of how this was a directive from the top of the FAI.

“Fans found to be carrying anti-John Delaney banners had those in their possession confiscated.

“And attempts to display such banners in the Singing Section that were not discovered on entry were met with a circle of security.

“Fans felt that the next step was to increase protests and therefore decided to air our views by way of plane hire.”

The statement concludes by outlining 23 separate complaints against Delaney.

These gripes include Delaney’s €360,000 a year salary, “the continuing mismanagement of the League of Ireland”, the FAI’s “perilous financial situation” and “the fall in quality of player being produced at underage level”.

There are also several references to the €5m pay-off the FAI received in the wake of the Fifa after the Thierry Henry handball controversy including a reference to “inconsistent accounts provided by John Delaney over the reason for the Fifa payment”.