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THE MAN DUE to become interim CEO of the Football Association of Ireland has decided not to take up the position, the sporting body has said this morning.
John Foley, a former CEO of Athletics Ireland, was expected to take up the position from today but instead has opted not to do so.
“The board of the FAI notes with great regret John Foley’s decision not to accept the role of interim CEO with the Football Association of Ireland,” the FAI said in a statement this morning.
Throughout our dealings with John, his suitability for the role was beyond question and the level of professionalism and clarity he could bring to the Association would have been invaluable. John’s experience and influence will be especially missed by our staff who would have benefitted greatly from his arrival.
“The board of the FAI will meet to discuss the next steps.”
Foley had been expected to take up the role after Noel Mooney’s six-month secondment to the FAI as interim general-manager ended on Saturday.
Mooney is employed by Uefa, but moved to Dublin on a six-month secondment earlier this year to help the beleaguered FAI liaise with Uefa and begin to move on from the crisis that has engulfed them from March.
Mooney previously has ruled out extending his stay with the FAI, hastening the need to find a replacement.
Chief operating officer Rea Walshe took up the interim CEO role in March when John Delaney stepped into the executive vice-president role
Last week, Minister for Sport Shane Ross said the an independent report into the FAI has been referred to An Garda Síochána.
The report was commissioned by Sport Ireland in May of this year and sought to assess the FAI’s expenditure of all Sport Ireland funding and its fitness to handle public funds.
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport said that: “The ministers note media reports that John Foley has declined to accept an interim CEO role at the FAI.
“The ministers also acknowledge Mr Foley’s long service to Irish sport in various executive roles over recent years and his reputation for delivery.”
However, as has been previously stated repeatedly, Ministers Ross and Griffin believe the most urgent priority for the FAI should be the appointment of the four independent directors. Thereafter, it is important that the Board, under the leadership of the independent Chairperson, moves quickly to fill the CEO vacancy.
“To satisfy the concerns of all stakeholders, the new CEO should be completely independent of any present or previous involvement with the FAI.
The FAI’s reform agenda needs to be strongly led in a manner that allows normality to return to football in Ireland as quickly as possible. The restoration of government funding can only follow such reform.
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From bad to worse. God knows what was going on in there.
Anyone in their right mind would not touch the FAI with a barge pole. Send in a forensic accountant to investigate and appoint someone who is not connected to ANY sporting bodies whstsoever.
Got a sneak peek at the accounts and said f that for a game of soldiers
A poisoned chalice one can only imagine whats been going on there
The sleep of reason brings forth monsters; what on Earth is going on with that organisation?
Distancing himself from the can of worms.
Let the IFA up north take back over the running of soccer in Ireland
@Paul O Faolain: their crooks too just don’t have as much cash to Rob
They dodged a bullet there. Wouldn’t let Foley run anything, not even a jog to warm himself
So you left because you didn’t feel the love from the Delaney gang ? ??? Why are you surprised and what were you expecting ?If you didn’t have the backbone to take them on why take the role in the first place,?
@rugbyanbeer: You do realise he didn’t actually take the role?? A very quick read of the article would have confirmed that for you.
@Niall Behan: they read the Headline & straight to the comments section. Muppets.
Ask Olympic Ireland for someone
@pat seery: nooooooooooooooo
Give the job to Jack Charlton he will rev it up and get it going or I think Dublin Zoo have a chimpanzee that needs a new challenge, he has finished his jigsaw so he fully qualified
I’d suggest if you think someone is imminently qualified for the role that you don’t make it an interim position…
have your say