FAI board holds unscheduled board meeting after standoff with Oireachtas sport committee
Football Association of Ireland
(FAI) has held an unscheduled board meeting after a standoff emerged with the
Oireachtas
sport committee.
The organisation was due to appear before the committee next Wednesday, but after its regular meeting last week, members of the committee were told the FAI was seeking to delay the meeting.
It is understood the FAI wrote to the committee outlining that it wanted to postpone the meeting until
Garda
investigations into allegations of inappropriate relationships with players against former coaches, and unwanted sexual advances.
The allegations were first made public last summer by
RTÉ
Investigates and the Sunday Independent. Gardaí later confirmed that they are investigating at least one complaint regarding the matter and were in contact with several more potential victims.
READ MORE
RTÉ has previously reported that the former coaches have denied any wrongdoing.
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FAI stands down three former women's football coaches after allegations of inappropriate behaviour
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Political sources said this week that the committee had decided to respond to the FAI saying it wanted the meeting to go ahead, arguing that the questioning could be constructed in such a way as to avoid encroaching on areas that might be subject to any ongoing investigation.
It is unclear what the outcome or decision of the board meeting held on Friday night was, if any. A source with knowledge of discussions denied that there was a split in the board over the matter. It is believed some senior figures at the FAI are deeply sceptical about the merits of attending the committee.
A request for comment to the FAI met no immediate response on Friday evening. At the time of the joint RTÉ/Sunday Independent investigation, the FAI said it was treating the allegations with the utmost priority and seriousness.
Speaking under
Dáil
privilege last month,
Fianna Fáil
TD for Cork North Central
Pádraig O'Sullivan
said the organisation knew of the allegations in 2023, 'despite the FAI stating publicly that it only learned of these allegations in early 2024″.
Mr O'Sullivan said he had seen correspondence dating to May 4th, 2023, which laid this out 'in black and white'.
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Gardaí investigating historical allegations made against women's soccer coach
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Responding, Minister of State for sport
Charlie McConalogue
said it was the view of his department and of
Sport Ireland
that the FAI had engaged appropriately with the allegations, and that once it received a formal complaint in January 2024 it acted swiftly and contacted An Garda Síochána and
Tusla
in accordance with mandatory reporting requirements and its own safeguarding and child welfare regulations.
Mr McConalogue said the allegations made by women involved in football in the 1990s were 'truly shocking' and he commended the bravery of those who had come forward to tell their stories.
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