FAI board is set for fresh talks on €2m LOI guarantee proposal

FAI BOARD members are considering whether to guarantee a figure of around €2m in an attempt to facilitate the return of the League of Ireland season.

The topic is set to be discussed in a Monday meeting after another day of talks related to the future of the 2020 campaign with clubs left to mull over their options – with protagonists now believing it could be at least another fortnight before final decisions are made by all parties even though it was previously indicated that UEFA required a quicker answer.

Clubs have been given figures to digest which confirm that the compensation offer on the table has not really changed from what was previously discussed with a support package built around UEFA solidarity money, prize funds and other income that was coming their way eventually.

Therefore, it’s understood that Abbotstown officials are hoping to sweeten the deal with a board commitment tied in with the hope that external support will eventually be forthcoming from the Government and FIFA.

It’s believed that board members were asked to ratify additional financial support of around €2m on Wednesday but they did not reject the proposal and instead asked for more clarity on what was actually being proposed by interim CEO Gary Owens (left). Sources indicate that this would effectively entail the FAI top table agreeing to underwrite an amount with a view to getting a return to play across the line.

The cancellation of the four team tournament involving the European qualifiers is firmly on the agenda as that would deliver a saving of €250,000.

BUT the idea of Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians and Derry City giving up a portion of their UEFA money and domestic prize funds still needs to be worked on.

It has created the unusual situation where the teams with larger running costs are in line for a greater level of compensation from the central pool – as each club submitted a projected loss of income from behind-closed-doors games and a curtailed season – but their contribution to the pot is necessary for the existing bottom line figure to be achieved.

The FAI met with Premier Division and First Division clubs in two different meetings yesterday.

Teams in the second tier remain keen on the idea of coming back provided promotion is on offer and plans are in place to pool their individual compensation offers (all of which are in the €40k ballpark) and spread it out equally amongst them.

Their gathering with the FAI was civil, whereas it’s believed the Premier Division summit was heated at times with St Patrick’s Athletic owner Garrett Kelleher critical of the FAI for failing to deliver assistance that had been spoken about publicly at various times during the three month shutdown.

Dundalk chairman Bill Hulsizer also spoke up during the session to register disappointment with the state of play and is unhappy with aspects of the strategy.

Fervent

Cork City put out a statement which said they had a “fervent desire” to get back on the pitch, while stressing they had an “obligation to safeguard both the health and well-being of our players and staff, whilst also safeguarding the financial viability of the club.”

The changing nationwide picture with regard to coronavirus and health restrictions has opened up the possibility that the stance on needing to use neutral grounds could be altered.

Instead, there is a feeling that teams may eventually be able to host games in their own stadiums with restricted spectators but that is dependent on the health picture continuing to improve.

But this also prompts questions about the Covid-19 wage subsidy support which – as it stands – is set to expire at the end of August. A number of clubs feel the priority should be to aim to play out the remainder of the season (which would be cut in half to 18 games) as quickly as possible as that would give them the best chance of operating while this Government relief is available for employees.

Yet there remains a strong feeling within the league that it would require a dramatic change of climate for all Premier sides to consent to return on the basis of what is known to them at this juncture.