FAI CEO Jonathan Hill apologises as pressure grows over payment controversy

Hill released an internal statement to employees today following days of silence

FAI Chief Executive Jonathan Hill

Embattled Football Association of Ireland chief executive Jonathan Hill has apologised after erroneous payments were made to the Englishman forcing a suspension of Government funding to the organisation.

It has emerged that Hill was paid €12,000 for holidays not taken at the FAI and that he had an outstanding benefit in kind liability of €8,500 related to his travel expenses when the London-based executive comes to Ireland.

In a lengthy statement to staff, Hill apologised three times, and appears to lay the blame for the error at the door of the FAI Board after he declared “a payment was made in good faith by the Association” which he says was not right.

Hill’s comments come one week after Sport Ireland revealed it had identified holiday in lieu payments – a practice banned by the FAI – and the benefit in kind (BIK) issue.

The BIK issue is believed to cover expenses paid for flights, hotel rooms and a driver for when the Yorkshireman is in Ireland.

Among the most notable comments emailed to staff today, Mr Hill does not excuse his behaviour, as had been the case last week, when FAI President Gerry McAnaney put the issue down to a “technical financial interpretation”.

Cork man McAnaney will leave his role at the FAI AGM next month, but his words and his role in excusing the CEO’s behaviour and the payments issue have not been well received by staff, Assembly members, and crucially certain board members.

Hill told staff today of his “sincere regret”, “I apologise unreservedly” – which he does twice – for the “unwanted noise this has caused”.

The email follows another communication yesterday sent by the FAI Board to staff. While apologising for the controversy, it failed to carry any reference to the chief executive or comments from him.

A statement released to media on Thursday appeared to draw a line under the controversy when it said: “The Board regret what happened and are committed to ensuring the lessons learned are fully adopted.”

Jonathan Hill’s comments today are being seen as an attempt by the Board and the Chief Executive to draw a line under what has happened, but there is much criticism internally about the delay by the 61-year-old in making a statement on such a serious issue.

“You will be aware of wider issues around the Association that have been reported in the media over the last few days and which the Board has addressed in the message sent yesterday afternoon,” Hill said today.

“I want to put on the record my sincere regret that you heard this first via the media, especially at a point where we should all be celebrating our association's achievements and progress.

“This is wholly unfair for you as FAI employees and for this I apologise unreservedly.

“Ideally, I would have addressed the specific issues earlier in the week but it was appropriate and right to respect the timing of the Board meeting and allow the Board to discuss and respond to everything in full.”

He continues:  “There are two key areas I can now clarify for you: Firstly, that of Benefit In Kind tax owed on my personal travel and accommodation across 2022. The audit process identified an underpayment against the tax on those expenses, which has now been reviewed in detail internally and with Sport Ireland, and I have paid the balance due in full.

“Some in the media continue to comment on the fact that my home and family remain in the UK and I want to clarify and confirm that I have been paying all personal travel and accommodation expenses directly since the start of 2023.

“Secondly, the issue of payment in lieu of holiday not taken – a payment which was made in good faith by the Association to reflect what it felt were 'exceptional circumstances' but which, in hindsight, was neither right in the context of our remuneration policy or indeed in the context of the MOU where we are working so hard to comply with all of the many recommendations.

Hill then addresses the Benefit in Kind issue for his personal travel and accommodation which he said: “I have paid the balance due in full.” Then on the holiday payments of €12,000 Hill said he has “repaid the full amount to the Association”.

He finishes his communication to staff by assuring them he will be “available in the office next week to discuss all the above and indeed any other questions, comments or concerns that you may have”.