The Minister for Sport has said recent media reports about a loan handed to the FAI by its former CEO John Delaney have raised “serious questions” about finances and governance at the organisation.
However, he refused to answer any questions on the matter until Sport Ireland has completed its inquiry into the situation.
It comes after Mr Delaney confirmed he lent the FAI €100,000 from his own pocket to help it through a “very short-term cash flow issue” in April 2017.
Sport Ireland asked the association for “urgent clarification” on the loan and warned that it was never notified about “any apparent material deterioration in the FAI’s financial position” in 2017.
Mr Delaney stepped down from his role as CEO in the wake of the revelations – however, the FAI appointed him to a new position as Executive Vice President.
Minister for Transport Shane Ross at Dublin Airport, 28-03-2019. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews"Serious questions"
In the Dáil this evening, Sports Minister Shane Ross said Sport Ireland said the loan raised “serious questions about governance and financial controls in the FAI.”
He said Sport Ireland was investigating the matter and would be submitting a report to his Department.
“In the interests of due process and natural justice, it is important that Sport Ireland's engagement with the FAI would be given the necessary time to ensure that all matters are considered thoroughly,” he said.
“Therefore, I do not wish to make any comment on any possible outcome from this ongoing process.”
"Shambolic"
Deputy Noel Rock, who raised the issue, said it was clear that corporate governance within the FAI is “shambolic.”
He said it was time to “set the record straight” with a “truly independent examination of management and finances which further State funding will be contingent upon.”
He said the investigation should examine “everything from top to bottom – lease deals, associated companies, boardroom expenses, etc.”
He accused Minister Ross of offering scripted replies and failing to answer his questions.
“In football terms, the response here was what we call a set piece,” he said.
Delaney
Minister Ross said he would not say anything that “in any way prejudice” Sport Ireland’s inquiry.
“It is very important that a body such as Sport Ireland is left to do this work, to do this properly and to do it thoroughly,” he said.
He said that as soon as the organisation reports back to him with results, “they will be published by me without fear or favour to anybody.”
Mr Delaney will be part of the FAI delegation when it appears before the Oireachtas Sports Committee on April 10th – one week after Sport Ireland makes its appearance on April 3rd.
