League must cut ties with FAI to thrive

-one associated with the League of Ireland.

‘The disappointing thing was that both Ministers said that the League of Ireland would go. That’s not the case, but that’s the way it was painted, so it’s disappointing that they weren’t informed. That was a mistake on their behalf and I know they’ve put out a statement to clear that up, but they just weren’t prepared for a question on the League of Ireland.

‘They probably thought they were there just to discuss the governing body, but as you know it’s all the one. That was disappointing, but the statement that has come out since gives a little bit of relief to us as players and all that are involved with the league.’

There are also fears that any repercussions from UEFA could lead to Irish clubs being expelled from Europe for five years. This is something that Rogers feels cannot be allowed to happen.

‘The loss of European football, if that were to come about, would be a massive concern to all the clubs because that’s really where you can make your money,’ said the Meath man.

‘The prize-money in the league is not really worth talking about, especially when you factor in the affiliation fees to get in. Again, when you finish the season you have to tally up all the fines that you may have occurred during the season, and depending on where you finish that prize-money might not be worth a whole lot to you, so European money is really where clubs can make a few quid throughout the season.

‘It’s a massive source of revenue for clubs and it would be a concern for clubs if that was gone. You seen Waterford last year, they had budgeted to have European money and then their approach changed half-way through the year when that slot was taken off them.

‘I’m sure Dundalk, as an example, have budgeted this year for European money to come in, and if that were to be removed it would be a huge concern for the owners, but I’m sure the clubs are well prepared at this stage and you’d be hopeful that things will resolve themselves and that sort of scenario won’t come into play.’

The one silver lining is that Rogers believes the bottom of the barrel has now been reached and is hopeful that a new era for Irish football can finally be welcomed in in 2020.

‘I don’t really think there can be much more worse to come. It’s as low as it can be. I don’t really know how it can get any lower in terms of the governing body and the state that it’s in at the minute.

‘There has got to be a massive rebuilding process there. Who’s to know what comes out of it because it looks like the government is going to have to get involved and UEFA are also going to have to play a role.

‘A lot of extra people are going to be needed in order to put Irish football back in a healthy state and to start moving forward to do our business properly, invest in the game and get it running smoothly and properly with proper governing structures around it.

‘Wednesday was heightened because of the reactions of people, but I do believe the league will start as planned in February regardless of the FAI situation.

‘I don’t see the FAI being liquidated. I think it will be resolved, whether it be the government or UEFA who resolve it, but I do think it will be thrashed out and there will be some sort of contingency put in place. There’s obviously a very important meeting with UEFA in January, but I think everything will go ahead.

‘I’d like to see an independent body running the league. Obviously the clubs should have an input into it, with a loose association with the FAI, but you want a scenario where clubs’ opinions and voices are heard and I don’t think that has been the case in the past.

‘You want someone to take responsibility to promote the league properly, because across the board we have to show our league in a better light,’ said Rogers.