FAI have reduced debt by almost €20m says CEO Jonathan Hill

FAI CEO Jonathan Hill said the association has reduced its overall debt by almost €20m as he laid out long-term plans to significantly improve investment in the game at all levels.

Hill began his tenure as chief exective in November 2020 with the FAI in turmoil. He became the FAI's first permanent CEO since April 2019 when John Delaney voluntarily stepped aside following revelations of a €100,000 loan he gave to the association.

In January 2020, a €30m rescue package including government loans and grants of €20m, a UEFA contribution and the restructuring of bank debt was agreed to save the FAI from potential liquidation.

On Thursday Hill said "what happened prior to 2019 will never happen again" as he spoke to the media following the publication of the Facilities and Infrastructure Vision and Strategy document, in which the organisation says it requires €863m to overhaul facilities at all levels of the game in Ireland.

The proposed basis of funding would be the FAI increasing its own incomes, FIFA, UEFA, and from the state.

"Will we get the money? That's the reason why we've put the plan together, the vision together and the strategy," Hill said.

"We've started discussions already with the Department of Sport and with Sport Ireland.

"I do believe that the FAI is in a very different place than it was two years ago."

"They have been very positive. They are supportive of any proposal that brings that wider debate of funding of sport to the table.

"We believe we've got a strong case for Irish football and for facility transformation and I think it's my role as CEO to put that case forward.

"I do believe that the FAI is in a very different place than it was two years ago.

"We're coming to the end of a period whereby the memorandum of