The FAI's directors will meet again this afternoon to review the events that led to last week's decision to abandon Eircom Park and opt instead for a lucrative tenancy at the proposed Stadium Ireland development at Abbotstown.
High on the agenda will be the role played in the entire saga by the association's chief executive, Bernard O'Byrne, who has received widespread criticism from other senior officials over his handling of the campaign to proceed with the original Citywest stadium plan.
O'Byrne was part of a FAI delegation to meet senior International Management Group (IMG) officials yesterday, arranged to address the financial position between the two organisations now that Eircom Park has been formally abandoned. It is believed, however, that detailed discussion on the key issue of how much IMG will seek as payment for its work on the advance sales of seats and boxes at Citywest was deferred.
With the company apparently keen to be involved in any sales process for Stadium Ireland and the association anxious to avoid a bill estimated at anything up to £1 million, it is possible the two parties may yet find a way of reaching an accommodation.
O'Byrne, meanwhile, is expected to be the main topic of discussion this afternoon. The chief executive faces, in particular, questions regarding his treatment of the directors during the two years the Eircom Park project was being pursued. Many of them believe they were misled and a small number, with some support from the National League clubs, have called for his resignation.
Throughout the controversy, however, O'Byrne has insisted he has no intention of departing. Some delegates clearly believe he is due some credit for the deal achieved with the Government. Today's meeting will provide the first real indication of whether that support is widespread enough to enable him to put up a sustained fight against those within the association clearly determined to see him depart.
At yesterday's meeting, meanwhile, it was agreed that a programme of refunds for those who had already purchased 10year premium seats at Eircom Park would be initiated over the coming weeks. Those who had paid in advance for tickets will receive their money as well as interest on it while they will also be offered preferential booking at the FAI's proposed new home in Abbotstown when tickets go on sale for that development.
Meanwhile, Dean Kiely has withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifying games against Cyprus and Andorra. The Charlton Athletic player has had a groin injury for more than two months and the club's manager, Alan Curbishley, said yesterday he was at least another week away from fitness. He also confirmed, however, Mark Kinsella would be able to join the Ireland squad despite having started only one of Charlton's last 10 games.
The meeting between representatives of the FAI and National League and Minister for Agriculture Joe Walsh scheduled for yesterday, when it was intended that a date for a resumption of the domestic soccer season might be agreed, was postponed until Tuesday as a result of the Minister being tied up with EU business.
The association is still hoping to play its cup ties next week while league officials are hoping to get a full programmed of matches completed the following weekend.
Shelbourne's Richie Foran has been called into the under-21 squad for next week's game in Cyprus following the withdrawal due to injury of Millwall's Richard Sadlier.
