Funding to FAI from Sport Ireland delayed amid governance concerns

RTÉ News has learned that there has been a delay in the release of funding from Sport Ireland to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) amid concerns about governance and reforms.

Sport Ireland, the body that releases State funding to various sports groups, was tasked with overseeing, reviewing and assessing the FAI's implementation of and adherence to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government and the FAI in 2020, which led to a rescue package for the cash strapped organisation.

Sport Ireland acknowledged that good progress has been made by the FAI, but said that there remains work to be completed by the association on fully embedding good governance practices and reforms.

There has been a delay in the release of funding to the FAI pending clarification of compliance by the organisation with aspects of the MoU.

Sport Ireland has recently received additional information and assurances from the FAI on actions it plans to take and hopes to be in a position to release funding to the FAI shortly.

It said it will continue to support the reform of the FAI in accordance with the terms of the memorandum of understanding.

This evening, the FAI in a statement revealed that the issue that concerned Sport Ireland, and for which it sought clarification, was the treatment by the FAI at source regarding benefit-in-kind payments and pay in lieu of annual holidays to the CEO Jonathan Hill.

The FAI has discussed the issue in detail with Sport Ireland and all requested actions have been agreed to by the FAI.

Gerry McAnaney, President of the FAI said; "The FAI enjoys a positive relationship with Sport Ireland and the leadership team of the Association has worked tirelessly to implement the recommendations and governance reforms