FAI bosses set to face grilling over report

FOOTBALL Association of Ireland (FAI) bosses face a grilling this evening when the findings of the review of their World Cup preparations are released.

A special meeting of the 18 member board of management convenes this afternoon to receive the report which has been seen by just six key senior officials.

The FAI has promised there will be no censorship of the report which has been described as substantial in size before its release.

The FAI is believed to come in for collective criticism in the 30,000 euro review carried out by Scottish management consultants Genesis in conjunction with independent chairman, former governor of the Central Bank, Maurice O'Connell.

They are expected to say fundamental mistakes and omissions were made in basic logistical and organisational areas during the World Cup squad's stay at their pre-training camp in Saipan.

They will also say the response to the crisis row between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy was too slow and indecisive to have any real hope of healing the rift and preventing the hugely damaging repercussions which culminated in McCarthy's resignation a week ago.

But while the report is not expected to isolate individual personnel for personal criticism, any failings will be immediately picked up by the association's inner circle which is composed of varying views on where responsibility lies.

The six officials, including general secretary Brendan Menton, who saw the report at a private meeting with the consultants on Saturday, will tell the board of management today they believe the recommendations of the review should be implemented in full.

But it is likely the board will need to convene a further special meeting before the full structural and procedural implications are teased out, and any major changes in policy or practice they deem necessary would then have to be approved by the FAI council.

Meanwhile, the association's International Committee met yesterday to formally begin the process of casting the net for a new manager.

Under 21 manager Don Givens who has been appointed caretaker manager for next week's friendly against Greece said yesterday he was not in the running for the job. He said: "It's a great honour to be involved for this game ... but my primary duties are with the under-21 squad."