Latest news with #FOOTBALLASSOCIATIONofIreland
The 42
2 days ago
- Politics
- The 42
Confirmed: Leagues can opt-out of summer soccer switch as FAI row back on key reform
THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION of Ireland have confirmed in a letter to its members today that grassroots leagues across the country will be allowed to opt-out of the proposed switch to an aligned calendar – colloquially known as 'summer soccer' – which the Association had flagged as a key pillar of their football pathways plan. The football pathways plan – which was led by former chief football officer Marc Canham but was the product of a self-proclaimed 11,000 hours of consultation and was unanimously endorsed by the present FAI board – is a blueprint for the overall structure of the sport in Ireland, and among its proposals was a change to the registration period at grassroots level, which would bring it into line with the professional game in Ireland. As it stands, Ireland is the only one of Uefa's 55 member nations which runs a different calendar for different levels of the sport. The football pathways plan proposed changing that, pointing to the fact that the current winter season sees games often postponed owing to inclement weather, with grassroots seasons across the country thus averaging 30 weeks per year. While the FAI unanimously endorsed the pathways plan – and the calendar switch within it – they decided to seek a mandate for it, and thus sent it for approval by vote among the FAI's General Assembly, where it was passed by a slim, 57% majority: 74 voted in favour, with 56 against. Advertisement FAI president Paul Cooke told delegates after the vote they had 'changed the face of Irish football.' The calendar switch was met by fierce resistance among some grassroots leagues across the country, however, with the Carlow and District Football League, for instance, insisting they would not adopt the change and that every league across the country should have the 'right of choice.' That opposition persisted after the vote, with the emergence of a putative breakaway organisation, titled the Grassroots Amateur Football Clubs of Ireland. Some clubs and leagues expressed fears that they would lose playing members if they switched to an aligned calendar, as it would pit them in opposition to GAA. Meanwhile, FAI board members had been briefed that any leagues resistant to the change could be disaffiliated from the FAI, which may have brought ramifications regarding access to State funding grants and portions of transfer fees for professional players owed under Fifa rules. Instead, the FAI board have now decided to offer leagues against the change the opportunity to opt out of the calendar switch. The 42 revealed last month that summer soccer was effectively 'dead in the water', and in a letter to delegates today, FAI president Paul Cooke confirmed the board have decided to allow leagues be exempted from the switch. 'The Board of the Football Association of Ireland has decided to implement an exemption process by application for leagues with regard to our Aligned Football Calendar', read the letter from Mr. Cooke, seen by The 42. 'The terms of reference of the exemption process will be agreed by the Board and communicated with members of the General Assembly in due course. 'The Football Pathways Plan continues to be implemented as part of the on-going development and future of Irish football whilst also respecting the implementation challenges that leagues may encounter in relation to the Aligned Football Calendar.' There are 22 leagues across the country currently playing under the aligned calendar, with another 47 playing the winter season. Twelve of those 47 previously indicated to the FAI a willingness to change to summer soccer.
The 42
19-05-2025
- Business
- The 42
Marc Canham deputy Shane Robinson named FAI interim technical director
THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION of Ireland (FAI) has named Shane Robinson as interim technical director as they confirmed that the application process for the permanent role of chief football officer will be advertised this week. Marc Canham is due to leave that post at the end of this month. Robinson joined the FAI from Shamrock Rovers, where he led the club's academy, and has worked as Canham's deputy during the development of the Football Pathways Plan. Advertisement A former League of Ireland player, Robinson takes on the interim technical director role with immediate effect. 'I'm happy to take over as Interim Technical Director to continue the good work that Marc has been doing and ensure that we maintain momentum in the implementation of the Football Pathways Plan. 'This is an important period in Irish football, across all levels of the game, and we are working hard across the Association with all stakeholders to ensure that we provide the best possible experience for everyone involved.' Canham's decision to leave after three years with the FAI has led the association into a major recruitment process at a pivotal time for key elements of the Football Pathways Plan. An external audit of League of Ireland academies is due to be finalised over the summer before a revised plan is submitted to Government by August with a view to securing funding in October. The first phase of the aligned calendar season for grassroots football is also due to be implemented in January 2026, although there remains resistance around the country. 'We're pleased to have Shane step up as Interim Technical Director as we begin the process to recruit a new Chief Football Officer,' FAI chief executive David Courell said. 'Shane is a valuable member of our Football Leadership Team and will help us to continue our vital work in continuing to develop Irish football.'
