The nabobs of the Football Association of Ireland yesterday received the report concerning what they did on their summer holidays, writes Tom Humphries.
The evaluation of the disaster which was Saipan and the week that followed was conducted by Genesis, a British firm of strategic management consultants who appear to have mastered the art of speaking softly about hard things. All things considered, the FAI was lightly scratched rather than scathed.
Chief recommendations of the report look to the future, suggesting that the FAI first accept the need to change itself and then put in place a new executive structure to administer football in Ireland.
These changes would see the appointment of a chief executive, a director of performance, a director of football operations, a director of marketing and communications and a director of finance and administration.
The general secretary of the FAI, Mr Brendan Menton, tendered his resignation, having absorbed the implications of the report and having decided that the interests of the association were best served by him making way.
Surprisingly, Mr Menton (in football parlance) walks alone. The remainder of his officer board opted to retain their positions despite broad criticism to the effect that the investigation found "most basic management disciplines non-existent" in the FAI and that they "fail to recognise good organisation practice employed elsewhere in sport including Ireland."
On the specifics of what went on in Saipan during the summer and how the national team managed to lose its captain and only superstar during a week of rest and recreation, the report is bland and discreet. It concedes, as had virtually everyone else, that the pitch in Saipan was inadequate but that the delayed arrival of training equipment had little technical impact on the team and would have scarcely been noticed had it not played a part in precipitating Roy Keane's departure.
The FAI executive board, which met yesterday, said it fully accepted the contents of the report and the need for change and reform.
Cynics will note, however, that this is not the first time an independent report has suggested that such changes be implemented by the FAI. Over half a decade ago, the Cass report made broadly similar recommendations concerning the internal workings of the organisations.
Pessimists will note that soccer in this country has no stadium, no manager, nobody in charge and no Roy Keane. The FAI has given itself until February 1st to install a new manager and a month longer in which to find a new chief executive.