SINDO - FIFA to scrutinise O'Brien/FAI deal

darkman2

www.independent.ie

FIFA to scrutinise O'Brien's FAI deal
Irish football chiefs 'have some explaining to do', says world body


By DANIEL McCONNELL EXCLUSIVE
Sunday February 17 2008


FIFA, the governing body of world soccer, have confirmed they are to investigate the Denis O'Brien deal which led to Giovanni Trapattoni's appointment as Ireland soccer manager, the Sunday Independent can reveal.


The significant development will cast a shadow on the appointment of the new manager and could have serious implications for the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).

FIFA chiefs are known to take a very dim view of outside parties, other than national football associations, paying the salaries of managers or players, and legal officials in Zurich are now seeking clarification from the FAI on the details of the deal.

A spokesman for the global governing body of soccer told this newspaper that while at present it appears that the

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deal is not against the rules, Irish football chiefs will have some explaining to do over the coming days.

The spokesman for FIFA said: "At present there appears to be no regulation to prevent the deal, but certainly we will be seeking further official details from the national organisation and we are investigating the matter. Beyond that, I cannot comment."

It has also been confirmed that Denis O'Brien will hand the money over to the FAI -- and not to Trapattoni directly, as had been previously suggested.

The FAI said this weekend: "The deal is between the Association and Mr O'Brien, and Mr Trapattoni's contract is with the Association."

CEO John Delaney is this morning travelling to Italy to hold talks with Trapattoni and discuss various matters in relation to staff and the upcoming friendly matches.

Trapattoni is set to take up his role on May 1, when he leaves his current side Red Bull Salzburg, who are currently in a three-way battle for the top of the table.

Speaking on RTE radio yesterday, Mr Delaney again confirmed that he spoke to Mr O'Brien before Steve Staunton's departure.

An FAI spokesman said last night that the organisation had no comment to make, other than to say no contact from FIFA had yet been received and that he was confident no issue would arise from any investigation.

The spokesman also highlighted the funding of the Russian coach Guus Hiddink's wages by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

He said the FAI were aware of FIFA "taking a dim view" of outside parties funding managers' salaries, but they were confident no issue would arise from the investigation.

The deal, worth an initial €1.5m, could go even higher, as Mr O'Brien said he would be open to requests for more money from the FAI, and insisted that he gave the money on a "no-strings attached" basis.

Despite the controversy, 71 per cent of the Irish people think the FAI were correct to accept the money from O'Brien, the latest Sunday Independent nationwide phone poll reveals.

Zaph

FIFA chiefs are known to take a very dim view of outside parties, other than national football associations, paying the salaries of managers or players

If anyone has read FOUL! The Secret World of FIFA: Bribes, Vote-Rigging and Ticket Scandals by Andrew Jennings they'll appreciate the double standard in that statement.

eirebhoy

Basically they're looking into it to see what they can do with similar cases in the future. Non story.

ziggy

This post has been deleted.

StickyMcGinty

Zaph wrote: »

If anyone has read FOUL! The Secret World of FIFA: Bribes, Vote-Rigging and Ticket Scandals by Andrew Jennings they'll appreciate the double standard in that statement.

the second i saw the title of this thread i thought about that book. excellent stuff.

The spokesman for FIFA said: "At present there appears to be no regulation to prevent the deal,

so whats all the fuss about. the FAI havnt broken any rules. storm in a tea cup.

Sure doesnt Abramovic susidise Hiddink's wages for the Russian FA aswell? Have FIFA even commented on it? I can see another tribunal on the horizon

Nunu

You can bet your bottom dollar that rag contacted FIFA to ultimately try get the FAI sanctioned...FIFA will do nothing about this, they just gave that statement out of courtesy.

Hiddink is paid the exact same way through Abramovich for managing Russia.

PHB

I'd say that they are just trying to get a rule in place, so Ambrovomich will pay them off in the future

MIN2511

I don't think there is anything wrong with the deal, we got a top notch coach! Now we have to replace all the players as well!!!