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FAI chair warns Council of dire consequences if rule changes not adopted

The FAI chairperson has written to the members of the FAI’s National Council outlining FIFA an...



FAI chair warns Council of dir...
Soccer

FAI chair warns Council of dire consequences if rule changes not adopted

The FAI chairperson has written to the members of the FAI’s National Council outlining FIFA and UEFA's support of governance reform at the association.

However, Roy Barrett has warned of dire consequences if changes to their constitution aren't adapted at Friday's Special Council Meeting.

The decision to elect six independent directors to the Board of the FAI has been met with some resistance.

Those opposed feel the association is leaving too much control in the hands of those 'outside' the game.

However, governance reform needs to be adopted if the FAI are to have access to State funding.

Barrett's written to Council members ahead of Friday's meeting to remind them, "These changes will make the FAI a better organisation and will ensure we get the financial support we need to survive.

"I believe we should all support them for that reason. However, it is vital that the implications of not supporting them are also made very clear."

He's warned Council members that insolvency will follow the drying up of State funding.

Membership of both FIFA and UEFA will expire, Barrett says. Shares in the Aviva Stadium will be seized, and there will be a risk to staging Euro 2020 games.

In a joint letter, FIFA and UEFA say they will "closely monitor the implementation of the various next steps", adding that they're confident they "can count on all stakeholders cooperation".

Barrett adds in his letter, "Last week, the Board of the FAI met with our relevant Government Ministers and both Ministers made it very clear that a failure on our part to implement the governance changes the Board committed to will mean there will be no Government funding.

"We all need to fully understand the implications of this."

The FAI Council meeting takes place in Dublin's Red Cow Hotel on Friday evening.

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FAI FIFA Roy Barrett UEFA