FAI welcome news of 'joint plan to safeguard the future of Irish football'

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have ‘welcomed the announcement by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross of an agreement with the Government, UEFA and Bank of Ireland on a joint plan to safeguard the future of Irish football’.

Confirmation of this agreement is the result of weeks of talks between the four parties – ‘with a detailed agreement’ being reached.  

FAI Independent Chairperson Roy Barrett said on the agreement; “This agreement is vital for Irish football and allows us to take the first steps in the rebirth of our sport.

“We can now progress with our plans to restructure and rebuild the Association and do what is best for our staff, our players and all our stakeholders with minimum disruption for Irish football.

“On behalf of the Board and the Association, I would like to thank all our partners for their support and their commitment to the future of our game and we look forward to working with them, our staff and our stakeholders to bring this plan to fruition.”

And recently appointed FAI President Gerry McAnaney added; “As President of the FAI, I wish to offer my sincere congratulations to our Independent Chairperson and his team on reaching an agreement with the Government and other important stakeholders.

“Today’s agreement will ensure the survival of football in Ireland. As an organisation, we must now remain focused on the fact that failure to reach today’s historic agreement would have placed the FAI in extreme peril.

“Once again, I would like to thank Ministers Ross and Griffin for their continued support for football in Ireland.”