Calls For The FAI To Spill The Beans On “Third Parties”

• League Of Ireland Clubs and Players Wern’t Told About Manchester United Fixture
• Hidden “Contracts” League Of Ireland Clubs Know Nothing About Preventing Clubs From Arranging Fixtures.

These were some of things Sportspeak discovered today at Giovanni Trappattioni’s press conference before the exhibition match against the Republic of Ireland’s Under 23 team.

As it was expected the attention wasn’t around this friendly fixture, it was all about the controversy surrounding Limerick FC’s request to bring Spanish giants Barcelona to Thomond Park. Originally when it was announced, the FAI jumped quickly to dismiss it and only when they were asked why they gave the following reasons via press release.

1)            “As the FAI has already told Limerick FC, their request for authorisation to confirm to FC Barcelona that they would be able to play in Ireland on July 31, was refused because of third party commercial agreements which prevent the Association from doing so”

2)            “In addition, the FAI has also told Limerick FC that it is in active and ongoing negotiations with FC Barcelona in relation to a visit of Aviva Stadium”

3)            “Thirdly, the Association told Limerick FC that it was obliged to retain ownership of the July 31 date because of Airtricity League fixtures”

“Although the timing of Limerick FC’s proposal means this request cannot be granted, the FAI has already given permission to Limerick FC for a match it applied for involving Sunderland in Thomond Park on July 13″

Moving to the first point, the game in Thomond Park was refused because of contracts with a third party preventing them from doing so. Sportspeak discovered this afternoon that League of Ireland clubs had no knowledge of these contracts.  Peter Sherrard, press officer with the FAI said “Clubs don’t know of these contracts and it is part of the participation agreement that they have signed up to” summed up this means the FAI can do things without needing to tell the clubs. The word third party has been thrown up alot and everyone is wondering just who this third party is. Names of companies like Platinum One and Kentaro were thrown up and Mr. Sherrard was quick to dismiss these names saying “I cannot confirm or deny it is one of those companies”  He added “The FAI is doing everything it can in order to ensure that the development of football is put first”

The second point was fair enough that the FAI were already in talks with Barcelona to bring them to the Aviva Stadium. The third point is the one that is causing total confusion. Why are the FAI flashing the league fixtures card at Limerick while the FAI have no issue with the opening clash in the Aviva stadium on August 4th with Manchester United coming to town to play an Airtricity XI, despite it not only in the middle of the season but is clashes with Bohemians Champions League chances in the qualifying round which is scheduled for August 3rd or 4th, that is if Bohs win their opening tie. Another problem is that if Bohemians are playing in the Champions League at home on a Tuesday night and the Man United game on the Wednesday night it would almost definitely have an effect on the attendance in Dalymount Park. Peter says “Its not an issue were not willing to comment on” Surely though a Champions League qualifying match involving an Irish side is more important than a friendly in the Aviva.

Another shocking revelation that came from today was that NO League of Ireland club knew anything about Manchester Uniteds friendly fixture in advance to the organisation of it.  Did it not make sense to the FAI that while they were organising the Manchester United game that they would contact league of Ireland teams and say we may need some of your players? Mr. Sherrard commented “No league clubs were informed prior to the official announcement, its been something we are trying to do to showcase the league players to a large audience and we think that’s positive” This writer asks how is it showcasing the best the league has when there is a big possibility that Bohemians players dont end up plying the game. Mr Sherrard said that he would clarify the matter of the Champions League in due course. It is clear from what this writer has heard today is that the FAI dont care about what players go out on the pitch, as long as they are flashing the Airtricity name and making tonnes of money from it. Sportspeak will keep up to date with this situation as information comes through.

You can listen to what Peter Sherrard had to say by clicking the link below

Peter Sherrard

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.