Quinn reformers take aim at FAI

NIALL QUINN’S Football Visionary Group is still involved in talks to restructure the League of Ireland clubs — despite being written out of the game by the FAI. On Monday night, the FAI said Quinn’s coalition had withdrawn from the process but that has been firmly rejected by the group.

‘These claims are completely false,’ insisted Kieran Foley, of the Visionary Group. ‘It appears these reports were based on a media release circulated by the FAI. If so, it is both confusing and deeply regrettable that the FAI would choose to act in such a disingenuous manner.’

Foley claims the FAI has tried to take control of proceedings by continuing with ‘broken rhetoric and unfulfilled promises to procrastinate any further development of a new revamped league’.

Foley also said that the FAI is seeking ‘to keep control of a league they cannot properly administer as history has shown’.

‘The Group takes this opportunity to confirm its total commitment to supporting the clubs and the creation of a better future for the League of Ireland.

‘The Group has been in continuous contact with the clubs throughout the process and hopes that their expertise may be utilised by the League of Ireland clubs in redeveloping the professional game in Ireland,’ said Foley,

At Tuesday’s meeting of the clubs it was decided that the 2020 season will again consist of two divisions of 10 teams. To eliminate mid-week games, clubs are considering two rounds of matches followed by a split which would see the top six clubs in the Premier Division play each other twice, meaning 28 games instead of the current 36.

The details of this proposal are expected to be ironed out when the 20 league clubs meet again next month.