The Government are to fund grassroots football in Ireland to the tune of €2 million, but they will do so without the FAI.
As things stand, the Government are withholding €2.9 million in annual funds to the Association following the corporate governance issues which have dogged the FAI.
The women's national team is currently being funded by the state without the FAI being used as a conduit for the money. This is being done via consultants BDO. This is to the tune of €195,000.
The Government is to safeguard 60 community based development officers and their programmes with this €2 million fund, which is to be appropriated next year. 'Trust' is the reason quoted by Minister Shane Ross for the reluctance to distribute the funds via Irish football's governing body.
Last week it emerged that the FAI have liabilities of at least €55 million. The Association parted ways with former CEO John Delaney, who received a severance deal of €462,000. The FAI made a loss of almost €9 million in 2018. The Association is to extend its mortgage on the Aviva Stadium until 2034.
The Association, Minister Shane Ross and Sport Ireland have been invited to appear before an emergency meeting of the Oireachtas Sport Committee this Wednesday.
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