FIFA officials said yesterday that they are ready to formalise their opposition to any moves to relocate Wimbledon FC in Dublin. A spokesman for football's world governing body confirmed that the matter, seen as a test case with profound implications for the game, will be discussed by their executive committee at FIFA's annual congress at Paris on June 8th.

He said he didn't wish to pre-empt the committee's findings but added pointedly, that FIFA had already furnished the FAI with assurances of their support to block the proposed Wimbledon move.

Pat Quigley, the FAI president, said that they had received guarantees of FIFA's backing for any decisions they took in the matter, a long time ago and to that extent, yesterday's development was not surprising. Yet, he was happy that the issue was now about to be debated in formal session.

Supporters of the Wimbledon for Dublin campaign attached no great signficance to FIFA's move, stating that European Community legislation will supersede any ruling made by the football authorities.