FAI chairman Roy Barrett made decision to pay CEO Jonathan Hill for holidays

Former Football Association of Ireland independent chairman Roy Barrett has admitted that he made the decision that CEO Jonathan Hill should be paid in lieu of holidays.

The holiday payments to Hill led to a Sport Ireland investigation and €6.8 million of state funding being temporarily suspended.

Speaking at today's FAI annual general meeting, Barrett said he took full responsibility and that the decision had been made in good faith.

He said that he didn't seek board approval for his decision but that he believed it was the right decision.

A Sport Ireland-commissioned audit identified that Hill received payments - which were made to him in lieu of holidays not taken and expenses related to commuting from the UK - that were above an agreed limit set out in the Memorandum of Understanding between the government and the FAI that led to the association's bailout in 2020. Hill has agreed to repay the sum.

Dave Moran from the Leinster FA branded the decision a disgrace and told the meeting that he believed that the former chairman had overstepped the mark.

Peter Harvey said that it was wrong that one person can sanction a payment that breached the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding.

Tony Keohane from Cork is set to be ratified as Barrett's replacement today.

President Gerry McAnaney steps down after almost four years in office and the election of a new president is a straight contest between current vice president Paul Cooke and Joe O'Brien.

Delegates at an EGM earlier in the day approved an extension of the board to 14 members in a vote which ensures the FAI will meet gender balance requirements set out by Government.