With League of Ireland clubs and the FAI due to meet tomorrow, there is a backdrop of some concern to clubs across the country.
The Football Show was joined by journalist Daniel McDonnell, Finn Harps' manager Ollie Horgan and Sligo Rovers' treasurer David Rowe to assess the state of the financial package on offer to clubs.
McDonnell addressed comments by St Patrick's Athletic owner that were critical of the FAI's new executive Niall Quinn and Gary Owens.
"I can't speak to what every board member of every club has said in a private environment or the course of these FAI meetings," said McDonnell.
"There is a variance of views that exist - there are clubs that might be cast in the sceptical category, though that may be harsh because that suggests that they are being deliberately sceptical."
McDonnell believes that clubs like St Patrick's Athletic, Finn Harps and Sligo Rovers are among the clubs that are in that category and require some convincing to accept the FAI's return to play package.
"Even clubs at the top who may really want to come back to play don't really believe that the FAI offer as it exists is good enough.
"The compensation package that has been presented thus far is really money that was coming to the clubs anyway, through prize money or UEFA solidarity money - being pooled and distributed to them earlier.
"It is not 'new' money as such, and there would be a range of views as to whether the FAI hierarchy has performed well enough to this point, with comments to the press that suggested the offer was going to be better."
Clubs will be meeting the FAI tomorrow to further the conversations, as Sligo Rovers' treasurer David Rowe joined us to put his club's position forward.
"It wouldn't be possible for us to go back on what's there at the moment," said Rowe of the existing FAI offer.
"We had a good, constructive meeting on Friday but it is really our own money being repackaged and being given at various different points.
"It is reasonably obvious that if you have done a budget, have no crowds and have done no fundraising [...] it is simply not going to add up.
"We want to go back, we are keen to play again but we have to be brave and stretch ourselves a bit, but we can't be reckless.
"There is a very significant gap between what's on the table and what we would need."
Testing is one of the biggest expenses that clubs face, and Rowe believes the FAI needs to shoulder that cost in the clubs' stead.
Finn Harps' manager Ollie Horgan believes that more can be done and says he 'cannot criticise' Niall Quinn and Gary Owens' efforts.
"While I'm giving Niall and Gary a lot of credit for what they've tried to do, I think the criticism is regarding the PR that they put out not being the reality."
McDonnell believes that the onus is on the FAI to come up with a financial package that will both help clubs and restore credibility.
"I think they have bred some false hope that has been quite damaging. After three months, and this is my personal opinion, is that they have to get a package together to get a return to play and make it work.
"Otherwise, this now looks like three months that have been wasted."
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