FAI review over contract renewal 'flawed' and 'pre-determined', Pauw claims

Vera Pauw has hit out at the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) for conducting a "flawed" review during negotiations surrounding the extension of her contract as head coach of the Republic of Ireland's Women's team.

It was announced on Wednesday that Pauw will not be retained following the end of her current contract, which expires this week.

In a statement released on Thursday, Pauw claimed the FAI's review was "pre-determined", and said a breakdown in relationships with "certain people in the FAI" came after allegations were made against Pauw in July.

The allegations were reported by The Athletic in the run-up to the World Cup, claiming the Dutch coach created a "culture of fear" during her time with US club Houston Dash.

In Thursday's statement, Pauw reiterated that she refutes the allegations, and added that following the publication of the story "the FAI made some major mistakes by directly overruling the tasks of the coach".

Pauw said she had made it clear prior to the World Cup that she wished to remain in her position and entered into discussions with the FAI in early March to extend her contract. She added the FAI "also expressed their commitment to this outcome", and that she requested that a decision be finalised before the team left for the World Cup.

"Despite committing to issuing an offer to me, the FAI re-considered their stated position and I never received the promised offer.

"I parked the contract discussions while we were in Australia, as my sole focus was the team and the competition," Pauw said.

My advice - coming from my knowledge and experience - was often disregarded and not respected.

She claimed that following the allegations made in The Athletic article: "My position became very challenging