John Delaney at the FAI Thread - (Mod Notes in OP)

AGC

Starting a separate thread to the MON/Keane and Ireland team talk ones but mods feel free to merge if you think.

A lot of talk in all threads about Delaney and his role so I felt it deserves its own thread.

IMO he is the root and cause of a large percentage of what is wrong with Irish football. From his outrageous salary to his complete neglect of the game in this country and how he has treated the PFAI.

I am glad it is being highlighted more and more over the last few days and I hope it stays in the media and puts pressure on him to become a hell of a lot more accountable because at present he is on the gravy train.
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MOD Note: 15/09/2020: We have seen some recent posts that include accusations of ignoring alleged corrupt activity and protection offered by specific people or groups, this should not happen without evidence to back it up.

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https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=114621190&postcount=4916

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UPDATED Thread 13/10/20 for discussion re Champagne Football Virgin Media One 9pm 13-10-20

Champagne Football – Inside John Delaney’s FAI
Tuesday, Virgin One, 9pm
Virgin Media Sport’s Tommy Martin examines the scandals of John Delaney’s time in the FAI in a documentary based on the best-selling book by Mark Tighe and Paul Rowan.

MOD Note:
A couple of reminders:

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NIMAN

He appears to be untouchable.

The only way he'll leave his current role is to take up one with UEFA.

Duff

As much as it needs to happen, I can't see him leaving unless it's on his terms. He has too many of the laaadss around him and is untouchable.

irishguitarlad

Sure he'll sing a few RA songs and they'll be all happy out about him again. Seriously though, the man and his cronies are a cancer. That's also a problem, that if we've get rid of him the next fella will be one of his lads and It would be just the same **** over and over again.

Corholio

He's in no danger at all imo. When the next manager is appointed and we get a solid draw or a win, it will all be forgotten about again with most Irish fans, it's just kicked down the road until the next 'it's the players v the manager' argument. Richie Sadlier had a good article today about Delaney should be having to come out and explain the crazy dealings with O'Neill's contract and now subsequent pay off all in a short space of time. But he won't and there won't be too much of a groundswell to put pressure on him either.

I was around one of the clubs during the whole Festival of Football charade a couple of weeks back and he swanned in and out of clubs with not a care in the world, nor actually a care for what he was visiting either. Shakes hands, hands out 'hush' funding and brings along former players to boost his profile. He gives no interviews and only ever acts when people actually take a stand (the Womens team) This only ever crops up with the National team but anyone supporting LOI have had plenty of experience of it now. Ordering Danish security to confiscate the 'Problem Child' flag the other night is just another silence attempt.

major bill

Most organisations I know, even the one I work for do not have a CEO in charge as long as the FAI have had Delaney. Need a fresh face. If he cared (He doesnt) then he would step down along with O'Neill and Keane. The fact clubs get fined in the LOI for fans protesting against him, banners against him been confiscated says it all about his reign and what its become.

salmocab

A lot of sports seem to have issues with the people at the top, soccer has had quite a few with FIFA etc, the Olympic council here and the boxing. I think sports need to have constitutions that stop these people turning what should be about administration into their own personal fiefdoms. Government should be playing a roll by having grants related to how a sport is goverened. It would be difficult but it needs doing.

fyfe79

OP, in your post I'd put in some basic facts about the money situation with FAI in terms of his wages, league prize money etc. Is he on something like €360,000 and Dundalk received €90,000 prize money for winning the league? Someone surely knows the exact figures. Someone in the other thread listed what salary some of the other FA chiefs in Europe are on, by way of comparison. I think if people knew the true picture it may open some eyes.

Also, he's Joe Delaney's son - ex FAI Head of Security, so there's a strong wiff of cronyism there, too.

Why would he leave, he's in a lovely high paid job.

The big problem is the structure that lets him stay on for seemingly as long as he wants.

His minions are obviously well looked after..

patmac

The salary is only half of it, he turned up at a local club to open a pitch, drank a heap of pints, fecked of with his blond bimbo in a company sponsored car all expenses paid. Responsible for the worst team in most people’s history and Shane Ross minister for sport God help us.

Agent Coulson

He learned how to stay in power and where the bodies are buried from Pat Hickey the only way he leaves if someone finds one of those bodies to take him down.

AGC

fyfe79 wrote: »

OP, in your post I'd put in some basic facts about the money situation with FAI in terms of his wages, league prize money etc. Is he on something like €360,000 and Dundalk received €90,000 prize money for winning the league? Someone surely knows the exact figures. Someone in the other thread listed what salary some of the other FA chiefs in Europe are on, by way of comparison. I think if people knew the true picture it may open some eyes.

Also, he's Joe Delaney's son - ex FAI Head of Security, so there's a strong wiff of cronyism there, too.

If you go into all facts and figures it would be an essay but his salary at one stage was just below the combined prize mo way for the premier division.

His father was with the FAI and was involved in the ticket scandal in 94.

His handling on all matters just seems to be atrocious and when he does speak to the media he makes a fool of himself and the country.

33rd team in the World Cup, must have been completely off his head that night.

The mess and what turned out to be complete lies in relation to the sale of seats in the Aviva.

I am a LOI fan and his (mis) management of that is what gets me the most. I fully accept Club’s have to run their own ship and in many cases they have not done a good but how have so many clubs gone to the wall under his stewardship? The farce that is the licence system and the complete lack of support when clubs do get into trouble is a disgrace.

nice_guy80

He's as bad as Pat Hickey in the Olympic gig

Who actually votes for Delaney to remain in charge?

secman

There is no way Sepp Delaney will leave FAI until he actually lands a top EUFA job, he is a a fcking parasite of the higest order, his "career" and earnings have been in an upper trajectory over the last 10 years, whereas the FAI and the "problem child" league are on a downward trajectory, he's a fcking disgrace but even more so are the despicable people who keep him there, total scum who don't give a fck about football. Sepp Delaney... **** OFF

downwesht

Delaney,our own Sepp Blatter!

Bertser

https://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/fai-welcomes-minister-rings-%E2%82%AC12m-grant-for-irish-football

FAI were given an extra €1.2m funding in 2014, €200k went to Clones Town FC whose ground is named after John Delaney, another €200k went to Westport United, hometown of then Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring. Corrupt as you like

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo

Going off memory, but he ran an unsuccessful bakery in Kerry for a number of years and ended up owing the Revenue a very large unpaid tax bill.

Irishmale0399

If fans want rid of JD they only have one way of doing it. Stay away from international games and get social media trending on why. Forums/fan groups like YBIG etc. then have to drum up media coverage. An empty Aviva for a few games will cause concern within the FAI and something will have to give. Up to now JD has managed to marshal all attempted stadium protests etc......he cant stop anything if fans are not there. Silence is sometimes more powerful than protest.

Corholio

Irishmale0399 wrote: »

If fans want rid of JD they only have one way of doing it. Stay away from international games and get social media trending on why. Forums/fan groups like YBIG etc. then have to drum up media coverage. An empty Aviva for a few games will cause concern within the FAI and something will have to give. Up to now JD has managed to marshal all attempted stadium protests etc......he cant stop anything if fans are not there. Silence is sometimes more powerful than protest.

This will never happen. Loads of people will always beat the chest and claim supporting your country is more important than taking part in an ACTUAL proactive support of the countries interests. I'd never wish Ireland to lose but not attending games and not giving Delaney money should not be beyond anyone who is serious about concern for the state of Irish football.

theoneeyedman

Agent Coulson wrote: »

He learned how to stay in power and where the bodies are buried from Pat Hickey the only way he leaves if someone finds one of those bodies to take him down.

Is there anyone really looking though. Lots of suggestions about corruption etc, but has anyone (eg a journalist, the Revenue, the Sport Council) ever really 'followed the money' and tried to expose these nefarious practices? Is he really that clever, that the bodies are so deeply buried that nobody can unwind the alleged corruption, or is there some sort of a cabal or cosy consensus that is afraid to look into the FAI.

personally, I'd find it hard to believe Ken Early's claim that the turnover hasn't really increased in the FAI in the last (was it) 10 years.... this at a time when the money in soccer has exploded worldwide, especially in Europe. Something doesn't add up.

StupidLikeAFox

To oust him needs a concerted effort and somebody to lead it. Will get neither.

nice_guy80

Which block has the biggest amount of votes at the FAI AGM?

Irishmale0399

Corholio wrote: »

This will never happen. Loads of people will always beat the chest and claim supporting your country is more important than taking part in an ACTUAL proactive support of the countries interests. I'd never wish Ireland to lose but not attending games and not giving Delaney money should not be beyond anyone who is serious about concern for the state of Irish football.

The problem is very simple......fans want to support the team and are too short sighted to stay away for a few games. Typical Irish attitude....sure someone else will do it and it will be grand. Look at what happened today in Germany. Clubs announced the end of Monday night games in the Bundesliga from next season....why....fans stayed away from games and entered the grounds 15 minutes after kickoff. Organised protest....



What they forget is that the problem isnt MON or RK....the problem in Irish football is a lot deeper. It needs to be sorted or the national team nor the LOI will ever be competitive.

Engine No.9

Is the FAI a private company or is it a public organization? If it’s public, shouldn’t somebody, anybody be able to submit a Freedom of Information request to get the budgets and balance sheets to see where the money is actually spent!? The mortgage on the Aviva is split between FAI and IRFU so the repayment can’t be huge in all fairness. Especially considering the amount of money they got from the government to redevelop Lansdowne.

Amirani

theoneeyedman wrote: »

personally, I'd find it hard to believe Ken Early's claim that the turnover hasn't really increased in the FAI in the last (was it) 10 years.... this at a time when the money in soccer has exploded worldwide, especially in Europe. Something doesn't add up.

The explosion of money in football has been concentrated among a few large leagues, driven largely by TV revenue and external investment. There's been no big increase in money in football outside of these, gap between the haves and have nots in club football has grown exponentially.

Amirani

Engine No.9 wrote: »

Is the FAI a private company or is it a public organization? If it’s public, shouldn’t somebody, anybody be able to submit a Freedom of Information request to get the budgets and balance sheets to see where the money is actually spent!? The mortgage on the Aviva is split between FAI and IRFU so the repayment can’t be huge in all fairness. Especially considering the amount of money they got from the government to redevelop Lansdowne.

Accounts of both private and public companies are available for all to obtain, the FAI's included. There's no big conspiracy here, the redevelopment of Lansdowne has been incredibly costly to them. Their budgets were predicated on upfront selling of lots of premium packages that didn't materialise.

secman

I stopped going to international matches shortly after the Genesis Report, having attended matches from 1974/75 in Dalymount park, Lansdowne road, and then Croker. Have never been to Aviva.
Our honeymoon was to see Belgium v Ireland in Brussels March 1981, Sepp Delaney and his cronies are ruining football, I really really really dont like Delaney as in really really really
Really don't like him. Really really hope thousands stop going or even a protest march to Abbottstown to demand change... hope and pray

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo

Irishmale0399 wrote: »

The problem is very simple......fans want to support the team and are too short sighted to stay away for a few games. Typical Irish attitude....sure someone else will do it and it will be grand. Look at what happened today in Germany. Clubs announced the end of Monday night games in the Bundesliga from next season....why....fans stayed away from games and entered the grounds 15 minutes after kickoff. Organised protest....



What they forget is that the problem isnt MON or RK....the problem in Irish football is a lot deeper. It needs to be sorted or the national team nor the LOI will ever be competitive.

That's the best way to protest while still supporting the team. It worked for Liverpool a few seasons ago with ticket prices and Cork City did it when they were in big trouble with their owners.

He's been head of the FAI for at least 14 years, has been the figurehead for longer?

Not entering the stadium for 14 minutes after kick off and leaving 14 minutes before the final whistle for Irish games going forward is the best way to protest the FAI's incompetence.

alta stare

What i dont get is why the media never seems to go after him. Has he got most of them sweetened so much that they keep quiet?

McGrath5

Delaney sums up everything that is wrong with the FAI.

I was listening to Dunphy's podcast yesterday, Brady was on and made a very good point that our 2 best players over the past couple years, Shane Duffy & James McClean both come from Northern Ireland. We simply have no players coming through from Dublin, Cork, Limerick or anywhere else in the South.

All of this has happened on Delaney's watch, the guy is simply an embarrassment to the FAI.

Irishmale0399

alta stare wrote: »

What i dont get is why the media never seems to go after him. Has he got most of them sweetened so much that they keep quiet?

You cant go after someone who only speaks to certain media members and gets the questions in advance. The man has his friends in high places who will protect him. One of them helped pay our privious managers wages