Data concerns raised over new FAI registration system

The Deputy Data Protection Commissioner has met the Football Association of Ireland over concerns over the storage of passport details and photos of children.

Some football clubs have said they are not happy with a new player registration system introduced this season.

The Football Association of Ireland has told clubs they must collect proof of age along with a photo of their underage players if they are to participate in official FAI league matches.

The proof of age can be a photo of a passport or a birth certificate.

There are estimated to be more than 30,000 children registered with clubs in Dublin and several times that number in clubs outside the capital.

The new system has caused some concerns about data security amongst many parents and some clubs. One club Ardmore Rovers in Bray has refused to participate in the new system and has not been allowed to participate in matches.

In Dublin and surrounding areas, all underage players must now be registered by their parents with the Dublin District School Boys and School Girls League.

This requires uploading a photo of their passport page or birth certificate, a photo of the player and the payment of a €30 fee.

Some have expressed concern about who can access the data, but SportLoMo, the company who is running the system, says it is secure and only club officials will be able to access the passport details of their members.

In other areas, clubs have been told coaches should collect the data on their own devices for submission to the FAI Connects system.

This has also caused some concern.

Ballybridge United, a club in East Cork, has refused to do this, citing GDPR and child safety issues.

Club Chairman John Corr said that he was told his club would be refused league matches if it