FAI CRISIS: THE TIMELINE
March 17, 2019
The FAI confirm a ‘Sunday Times’ report that John Delaney had given the organisation a €100,000 bridging loan in April 2017 with statements saying he acted in the best interests of the association “at a time when immediate funding was needed” and indicating that the FAI board were briefed on developments.
March 23
After a day of speculation, the FAI wait until minutes after the end of the Euro 2020 qualifier in Gibraltar to announce that Delaney has moved to a new position of executive vice-president.
March 26
There is a tennis ball protest by unhappy supporters that disrupts the game with Georgia at the Aviva Stadium amid calls for Delaney to go.
April 3
Sport Ireland appear in the Dáil to state that the FAI had not sufficiently explained the circumstances around the €100,000 loan. Their CEO John Treacy refuses to give a vote of confidence to the board of the FAI.
April 9
Sport Ireland announce that funding to the FAI has been suspended.
April 10
The FAI appear at Government Buildings, with Delaney refusing to take questions on financial matters due to his own legal advice. He gives an opening statement but says he is unable to expand on it. FAI president Donal Conway says he was not aware of the €100k bridging loan in 2017.
April 15
After a weekend of discussions, Delaney says that he will “voluntarily step aside” from the post of executive vice-president pending the outcome of a series of reviews. Honorary treasurer Eddie Murray and honorary secretary Michael Cody resign.
April 16
Auditors Deloitte state that the FAI did not keep “proper accounting records”, thus adding another layer to the FAI probe. Sports Minister Shane Ross says that the FAI board have told him they will step down at the AGM.
May 2
UEFA confirm that Executive Committee member and Youth Committee chair Delaney will not be attending the European U-17 finals on his own doorstep.
July 27
FAI president Donal Conway is retained for another year by delegates at the AGM after they pass governance review group reform proposals that change board structures. The FAI refuse to take any questions on Delaney due to legal reasons.
August 18
UEFA confirm that Delaney will not be invited to UEFA committee meetings or executive committee meetings while the investigations are ongoing. UEFA are providing financial support so the FAI can meet their obligations.
September 28
The FAI announce that Delaney has resigned his post in a short statement stating that he has resigned “with immediate effect”.
In the missive, the FAI adds that they will “fulfil certain notice and pension obligations as agreed between the parties”.
October 25
At an FAI Council meeting Donal Conway suggests that the KOSI report should be delivered by the end of November. A nominations committee is appointed to facilitate the appointment of four independent directors.
November 27
Sport Ireland forward the findings of an audit by the Belfast firm of the FAI’s finances to the gardaí.
November 30
On the final day of his six-month secondment to the FAI as general manager, Noel Mooney describes the referral of the KOSI report to gardaí as a “punch in the stomach” – adding it cast doubt over the timeline of reforms.
December 2
The beleaguered soccer body suffers another blow when experienced administrator John Foley makes a lastminute decision to turn down the post of interim CEO.
December 4
Telecommunications company Three confirms it is to end its 10-year sponsorship deal with the FAI, despite having been in talks and on the verge of extending its agreement with a €10m scheme.
December 6
Less than an hour before damning financial figures are revealed at a specially-convened press conference at FAI headquarters in Abbotstown, Donal Conway announces his intention to step down as president at an EGM on January 25.