Euro failure could cost FAI €12m

Uefa have confirmed a 50% increase in prize money for next year’s European Championships — meaning Ireland’s qualification struggles could see the FAI miss out on at least €12 million.

Reaching the finals in 2012 grossed the FAI a qualification bonus of €8m, income pivotal to prevent their 2013 turnover falling any more than the 19% it did over a two-year cycle.

Although details of the FAI’s latest accounts, published in yesterday’s Irish Examiner, demonstrated turnover to have slightly risen by 4% in 2014, a serious jolt in revenue streams is needed if the overall debt figure of €51.2m is to be tackled in the coming years.