FAI regrets ‘negative noise’ after PAC hearing
FAI chairperson Tony Keohane has told staff that the Association regrets all ‘the negative noise’ arising from the disastrous appearance before the Public Accounts Committee last Thursday.
The FAI, and particularly CEO Jonathan Hill, was the subject of intense criticism in the wake of the grilling. Committee chair Brian Stanley dismissed the FAI’s performance as ‘a cock and bull story’ and said its attempted explanations under questioning from the committee were ‘an insult to the public’. It is also understood that some FAI staff were unhappy that issues over pay and other matters were not addressed at the PAC.
In light of this Keohane, who took over from Roy Barrett as independent chairperson two months ago, emailed FAI staff yesterday in a bid to quell growing anger. ‘I wanted to write to you following the events of the last few days and particularly the Public Accounts Committee appearance yesterday,’ Keohane said. ‘The board regrets the negative noise that has been caused by yesterday’s events and acknowledge that headlines that may come in the next few days will be difficult and unfair for you to read and want to assure you that we will continue to focus on building back trust for the FAI.
‘We also regret that these events take the focus away from the phenomenal work being done by our staff and across all levels of Irish football – from grassroots to the League of Ireland. ‘While yesterday’s events were challenging, it is important to recognise that we had a significant and positive milestone this week with the launch of our Football Pathways Plan, a game plan to maximise the potential of Irish football.
It’s important to bring the game together and the board fully endorses this vision for the future.’