The FIFA Debacle

[Dublin Drummer Wolf]

We managed to avoid any scrutiny regarding a conflict of interest by being shit with a dinosaur of a manager...

That was an appointment by Delaney which he got away very little stick about. Thinking back not surprised he took the money from FIFA, this is a man who's annual salary (decided by a board which he is chairman) is more then the prize money Dundalk got last year (decided by a board of which he is chairman) for winning the league.

Yep. He is completely unfit for purpose. I thought it was very ironic to see him slating Blatter last week when he is hardly whiter than white.

This whole thing about the Henry pay-off stinks to high heaven. It's a scandal and has been brushed under the carpet by the FAI. Remember how the furore over it just died after a couple of weeks, and then the FAI denied receiving any pay-offs from FIFA? If Delaney wants to talk about transparency in football then surely he needs to get his own house in order first.

 

[jd1981]

FAI should not be applauded for this one bit, they should have demanded a replay of the fixture and when FIFA did offer them money they should have made the public fully aware.

 

[MARKakaJIM]

Handing them a replay would've set a dangerous precedent.

 

[jd1981]

Asking for it over accepting cash looks far better on the FAI, and then keeping quiet about it.

 

[MARKakaJIM]

If used correctly the money would've been far more useful than kicking and screaming about a replay they were highly unlikely to get.

 

[jd1981]

If used correctly the money would've been far more useful than kicking and screaming about a replay they were highly unlikely to get.

So why were they made to keep hush hush about things, plus €5milion is far less cash than you would get for qualifying for a World Cup.

 

[MARKakaJIM]

So why were they made to keep hush hush about things, plus €5milion is far less cash than you would get for qualifying for a World Cup.

Keeping hush has got nothing to do with the value of money, and it's pretty irrelevant what they'd get for qualifying for a World Cup because they didn't. There was pretty much no chance of them getting a replay so anything FIFA offered them as compensation was a bonus for them really, sure they could've kicked off about it demanding a replay but do you really think that would've got them anywhere? Perhaps it would've made them look a bit better to Irish football fans but what do they really gain from that?

 

[Donegal Wolf]

If used correctly the money would've been far more useful than kicking and screaming about a replay they were highly unlikely to get.

Agree we were never going to get (and no way should we have) got a replay. It was hush money to fuck off.

It would have been nice to have used it correctly but as I said earlier the FAI made a balls of financing their half of Landsdown Road redevelopment and their finances in 09-10 were precarious (just as the crash came to the economy as well), that €5m was quickly poured into paying the debt. At a guess I would say Blatter was aware the FAI were up shit creek and it was the easiest way to make them go away.

Seems the money was in the accounts but well tucked away

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soc...-not-apparent-in-published-accounts-1.2238001

 

[Dublin Drummer Wolf]

FAI should not be applauded for this one bit, they should have demanded a replay of the fixture and when FIFA did offer them money they should have made the public fully aware.

Exactly.

 

[jd1981]

Keeping hush has got nothing to do with the value of money, and it's pretty irrelevant what they'd get for qualifying for a World Cup because they didn't. There was pretty much no chance of them getting a replay so anything FIFA offered them as compensation was a bonus for them really, sure they could've kicked off about it demanding a replay but do you really think that would've got them anywhere? Perhaps it would've made them look a bit better to Irish football fans but what do they really gain from that?

You have to be seen to be doing the right thing challenging the decision and exhausting every avenue available. Lying down at the first sign of offering you some cash.
The fans and the players the ones who suffered from it the most will have gained next to nothing.
Do you think it's right the FAI didn't fight more which is what there fans and players would have wanted.
The Welsh association in 2003 exhausted every a avenue after Russia fielded ineligible player in there euro 2004 play-off, so why couldn't the FAI do the same.

 

[Derby Wolf]

I read yesterday that Delaneys salary is 360,000 euro in comparison to the Irish champions winning 100,000 euro. Astounding.

 

[Dublin Drummer Wolf]

Yup. He is every bit as rotten and self serving as Blatter.

I hope this proves to be the start of his downfall

 

[MARKakaJIM]

You have to be seen to be doing the right thing challenging the decision and exhausting every avenue available. Lying down at the first sign of offering you some cash.
The fans and the players the ones who suffered from it the most will have gained next to nothing.
Do you think it's right the FAI didn't fight more which is what there fans and players would have wanted.
The Welsh association in 2003 exhausted every a avenue after Russia fielded ineligible player in there euro 2004 play-off, so why couldn't the FAI do the same.

I'm assuming Wales lost the fight in their case?

I just don't see the point in going after something that you know isn't going to happen, it's completely pointless.

Ireland not qualifying meant that their players/supporters missed out on a experience and the FAI lost out financially, well the experience was never going to be returned to them as a replay just wouldn't happen so that leaves the FAI with a choice. Was it better for them to shout from the rooftops about something that everyone already knew or take the compensation on offer and at last partially soften the blow of not qualifying, to my mind they took the sensible option, no matter what they'd tried they weren't going to get a replay and so weren't getting the money as a result of qualifying.

 

[Johnny75]

If used correctly the money would've been far more useful than kicking and screaming about a replay they were highly unlikely to get.

Yep, lets send the message that bribes are acceptable and corruption is OK.

 

[Johnny75]

I just don't see the point in going after something that you know isn't going to happen, it's completely pointless.

No it isn't. It is a moral argument where conduct and rules are important.

 

[MARKakaJIM]

Yep, lets send the message that bribes are acceptable and corruption is OK.

I don't see it as a bribe as such.

It's not like FIFA were getting anything back from FAI in return for the payout is it? As someone had said earlier, it seems more like an out of court settlement type arrangement, FAI weren't getting a replay so at least have a bit of money to soften the blow.

 

[jd1981]

I'm assuming Wales lost the fight in their case?

I just don't see the point in going after something that you know isn't going to happen, it's completely pointless.

Ireland not qualifying meant that their players/supporters missed out on a experience and the FAI lost out financially, well the experience was never going to be returned to them as a replay just wouldn't happen so that leaves the FAI with a choice. Was it better for them to shout from the rooftops about something that everyone already knew or take the compensation on offer and at last partially soften the blow of not qualifying, to my mind they took the sensible option, no matter what they'd tried they weren't going to get a replay and so weren't getting the money as a result of qualifying.

So when FIFA have been accused of bribery and throwing cash around to get there own way it's now suddenly ethically ok for the FAI to be given a bit of hush money. Seems very hypercritical and double standard.
If the deal was all pucker and above why were the media and public not made aware of it at the time and why has it taken over five years to be revealed.
Why were the Irish fans at time who were seething not made aware of a so called compensation package?

 

[Dublin Drummer Wolf]

I don't see it as a bribe as such.

It's not like FIFA were getting anything back from FAI in return for the payout is it? As someone had said earlier, it seems more like an out of court settlement type arrangement, FAI weren't getting a replay so at least have a bit of money to soften the blow.

They were. They were getting their preferred team (France) in the WC, and getting a guarantee that we wouldn't sue. It was Hush money, not sure why you're debating it, its a classic example of a bribe.

 

[MARKakaJIM]

So when FIFA have been accused of bribery and throwing cash around to get there own way it's now suddenly ethically ok for the FAI to be given a bit of hush money. Seems very hypercritical and double standard.
If the deal was all pucker and above why were the media and public not made aware of it at the time and why has it taken over five years to be revealed.
Why were the Irish fans at time who were seething not made aware of a so called compensation package?

It does seem strange that it was kept so quiet as it'd be a reasonably easy payment to explain in the circumstances.

FAI can tell everyone they've challenged FIFA over the game and asked for a replay, FIFA can make a statement acknowledging the referees mistake but declaring that they don't want to set a precedent for this sort of thing by allowing a replay so are handing some financial compensation to the FAI.

FAI can still look like they've tried to do right by their fans and FIFA can look like they at least cared a little bit but have reasons for denying the replay, everyone gets something and the world keeps on turning.

 

[MARKakaJIM]

They were. They were getting their preferred team (France) in the WC, and getting a guarantee that we wouldn't sue. It was Hush money, not sure why you're debating it, its a classic example of a bribe.

Who were you going to sue and on what grounds?

Henry for using his arm? The officials for not spotting it? There's no way FIFA could've granted a replay as it sets a dangerous precedent, everytime a team was screwed by a incorrect decision in a big game they'd all be out demanding a replay, it'd just get silly. Even if FAI had gone down the appeal road it could've just as easily been turned down by FIFA and they'd end up with no qualification, no money and massive lawyers bill, who wins then?

And the bit in bold just comes across incredibly bitter.