Reconvened FAI AGM: The dominant mood was sober despite flashes of anger and passion

Notice was given that the 2020 AGM will take place on July 25 next year in Ballybrit, Co Galway – which, given the extent of the FAI’s current crisis, felt like a major act of faith.

In an early sign of these stressful times for the FAI, President Donal Conway felt obliged to begin Sunday’s reconvened AGM by issuing a warning that questions asked from the floor, if potentially defamatory, could be subject to legal proceedings and that lawyers present would advise if any question or “unfounded comment” was out of order.

He need not have been unduly worried. Questions there were aplenty, in stark contrast to AGMs of the past, but while there was some passion and even defiance, as well as occasional flashes of anger, from the succession of delegates who addressed the top table, the dominant mood might best be described as sober, even solemn, the tone set by Executive Lead Paul Cooke’s reply to the first question from the floor, from PFAI solicitor Stuart Gilhooley, who wanted to know for how much longer the FAI could continue as a going concern without the €18m bailout it needs.