Emma was completely in love with him but he let her down and she had to walk away

Delaney ‘devastated’ at the end of five-year relationship

together as Delaney climbed world soccer’s corporate ladder.

But sources said Emma was never impressed with the perks of the FAI chief ’s glittering career.

One added: “Contrary to the perception, Emma is a very normal, grounded person. She was never interested in the lifestyle or the partying, she was just completely in love and wanted to support John.

“John didn’t appreciate what he had in Emma and what she brought to their relationship, he’s lost a really great person in his life.

“She was a rock to him and he came to depend on her a lot.”

The couple first met in 2013 when

Delaney took part in a charity dancing show which PR and events organiser Emma was running.

Following a brief friendship they quickly became an item.

Emma previously told RSVP magazine: “I have met my soulmate. At times, I find it hard to describe or put into words the love we share with each other.

“We are blessed to have found what we have found in each other.

“People connect and fall in love in different ways, so to me it’s down to the individual’s personal experiences and what love means to the individual.

“In my experience, I have only ever really fallen in love once in my life.”

Emma is believed to have been instrumental in supporting John in the rise of his career, advising him and helping him as he climbed the career ladder to the summit of world sport before his spectacular downfall.

A source said: “She was an important figure in his life in a very positive way.”

Delaney rubbed shoulders with some of the most powerful sports’ executives in the world including controversial FIFA boss Sepp Blatter.

He once proudly recalled introducing his partner to Blatter and said in a radio interview: “He met Emma, my partner, in Vienna recently. He stared at her for seven or eight