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Funding . . . Delaney FAI net €5m in jig time BOMBER’S

By CRAIG FARRELL and NEIL COTTER THE FAI requested and received early drawdowns of its state funding worth over €5million since 2015 — before they had even been approved. Boss John Delaney was granted the cash by Sport Ireland head John Treacy, correspondence received under FOI shows. Full Story — Pages 10 & 11 ‘SECRET

EXCLUSIVE by STEPHEN BREEN, Crime Editor TOKEN 10 KINAHAN No2 Thomas ‘Bomber’ Kavanagh had got PAGE 23 off a South American flight when lifted by UK cops. Investigators believe the Dubliner, arrested at Birmingham Airport on Saturday morning, may have been away organising drug shipments. SOUTH Full Story — Pages Four and Five

Expenses . . . Martin Cllr HQ trips on AMERICAN public

EXCLUSIVE by KIERAN DINEEN THE brother of Fianna Fail chief Micheal Martin claimed €966 in expenses for two trips to Croker in 2017, we can reveal. Cllr Sean Martin, depu- tising for Cork’s Lord Mayor when he lodged the bills, said: “I broke my holidays to go to those matches.” Full Story — Page 13 DRUG RUN’ 10 ...... Monday, January 14, 2019 1RM 1RM Monday, January 14, 2019 ...... 11 John sis FAMILIES’ SHOCK ‘not fixer’ FAI SOUGHT FUNDS BEFORE GREEN LIGHT THE sister of ex-Celtic star John Hartson will EXCLUSIVE by CRAIG FARRELL face no further action and NEIL COTTER OVER BODY HUNT after being arrested in a FAI IN THE families of a doctor who By ADAM HIGGINS Welsh match-fixing probe. OVER the last four years, disappeared ten years ago want Hayley Hartson, 45, was FAI chief John Delaney has held after cops learnt of NUMBERS to speak with gardai about the of digging, the operation ended last applied for early access to week without success. betting patterns in 2016. €360,000: decision to undertake a new Port Talbot lost 5-0 to millions of euro of State search for her remains. The Donnelly and O’Flaherty FOOTBALL families yesterday released a joint Rhyl, who had not won in Association Deirdre Donnelly O’Fla- 17 previous matches. funding that hadn’t been herty, 46, from Strabane, Co statement, saying: “Notifica- of Ireland tion that gardai were going Hayley, who put £50 on approved yet. Tyrone, went missing from Rhyl, insisted: “I want supremo Moville, Co Donegal, on to carry out a land search Documents released to the John Del- for Deirdre was entirely people to know I did noth- January 11, 2009. Irish Sun by Sport Ireland aney’s salary. Last Tuesday, gardai unexpected, not least given ing wrong.” reveal Delaney made numerous launched a major search and that the finding by Order of requests for early drawdown excavation operation in the Judge Deeney at Belfast High Court on the 12th of January GYM AND TONIC despite not knowing how much 9%: THE Milford area after cops got a funding was available. increase in letter claiming to know the 2012 that Deirdre had ‘gone More than half of into the water and drowned’ And in 2018 the soccer boss made Win, lose or turnover at 18-35s prefer going to the exact location of her body. a submission to Sport Ireland for the FAI A number of gardai and a was supported by the oral gym for a work-out than evidence of the investigating an early pay out of 50 per cent of from 2007 mini-digger were moved onto Search . . . Deirdre going to the pub, a their annual funding — just 15 days Garda Sergeant.” survey of 1,000 revealed. (€45m) to site, however, after four days into the year. 2017 (€49m). Correspondence between Delaney and Sport Ireland head John Treacy shows the FAI top brass regularly 177%: THE sought early access to funds, which hike in turn- the State body continually granted. There is nothing improper about over at the the FAI’s request, or the granting of IRFU bet- that request by Sport Ireland. ween 2007 Back in March 2015, the footballing (€48m) and body was approved a grant of 2017 (€85m). €2,565,410 by Sport Ireland — then the Irish Sports Council — to support grassroots “participation and 218%: THE development” in the game. jump in A sum of €142,500 was also issued turnover at to the FAI as part of the Women in the GAA Sport initiative. drawdown from 2006 The same level of funding was (€30m) to issued in the subsequent three years. ’17 (€65.6m). A requirement of the sporting grants is that compliance documen- tation, such as end of year financial €29.5m: FAI statements, mid-year reports and a debt left on breakdown of how the FAI intends to allocate the funds, must be filed Aviva, which with Sport Ireland. Delaney in- Letters in 2015 between the heads sists will be of the two bodies show the FAI cleared by received access to 50 per cent of year 2020. their funding before it was given the green light for approval. And the letter also states that €4.5m: THE payment of the final half of the profit from grant funds will only occur when Euro 2016, specific compliance documents have Footie dosh . . . where Rob- been received. bie Brady But in May, the FAI sent a letter FAI’s chief scored appealing for an early drawdown of exec Delaney 25 per cent of their final chunk. against Italy. The request was granted by Sport contacted Ireland the following month with a Sport Ireland €2m: Martin note that “payment in respect of the final 25 per cent instalment of your O’Neill’s sal- 2015 funding will be made when ary when he your organisation has submitted the was let go – required compliance documentation”. along with The process repeated itself the fol- €600k for lowing spring when Delaney Roy Keane. approached Treacy seeking the possibility of grant funds being transferred prematurely despite only €10m: CASH being in the process of finalising Denis O’Brien their financial statements for the paid to cover previous year. the salaries He wrote: “I trust you will look of manage- favourably upon our request.” ment teams This came on the back of a 12 months which Delaney described as in 2008-18. “a good financial year”. Speaking about the organisation’s €5m: HUSH finances in September 2015, Delaney said: “We will be in around a five money FAI or six million pound profit, irrespec- got from tive of qualification (for Euro 2016) Fifa after this year. It is a good financial year the Thierry for sure but it will be better cer- Henry hand- tainly if we qualify.” ball in 2009. In the summer of 2017, the FAI chief said the organisation had enjoyed its “biggest turnover” ever. EARLY He claimed: “It was a successful 2015 - 75% 2016 - 25% 2017 - 50% 2018 - 50% last year 2016, our biggest turnover ever. We had a turnover of over DRAWDOWN €50million, but the key point I think €2,030,931 €676,977 €1,353,954 €1,282,704 from football’s perspective is our TOTALS banking debt on the Aviva Stadium, which is now €34million.” Delaney added: “When you pro- seeking a fast-tracking of State cash. was again in contact seeking access be released was accepted in the drawdown of funding at the previous year, a full programme of duce your biggest turnover in the In February and March, the FAI to a quarter of the cash pile. February and €1,282,704 was trans- beginning of the year has helped to action for the year ahead, evidence Association’s history in 2016 that appealed for funds to be released According to the FAI, the organisa- ferred to the FAI’s accounts from continue investing in Irish football of tax compliance and other relevant just shows how strong we’re develop- early to the organisation. tion recorded a pre-tax profit of Sport Ireland. A further 25 per cent evenly throughout the year.” compliance obligations as per the ing in sponsorship in terms of sum- The Co Waterford native wrote: €5.2million in 2017, up from €4.7mil- was then sought by the FAI in June. A Sport Ireland spokesman terms and conditions of funding. mer camps, coach education, “We understand that our grant total lion the previous year. An FAI spokesman told us: explained: “The chief executive has “There are a number of reasons grants from Uefa, grants from Fifa, for 2017 has not been decided as yet In spite of the reported profits, the “Sport Ireland facilitated an early the authority to pay to funded bodies why a funded body may request government grants, local authority but are requesting an advance pay- solicitation for early drawdowns was drawdown of funding to aid the that operate on an ongoing basis up drawdown, including, but not limited grants — so there’s a good spread of ment of 25 per cent based on last even sooner in 2018 as just 15 days development of the game, at all lev- to 50 per cent of their previous to, the scheduling of home fixtures, income generated. year’s grant amount.” into the year Delaney sought early els, during a period when interna- year’s allocation in advance of formal financial cycles for the funded “Of course, match-day income too, Both requests were again agreed to access to 50 per cent of the Sport tional fixtures are infrequent. approval by the Board.” body and Sport Ireland, the hosting our season tickets sales and this year before the FAI had received grant Ireland grant. “The Association has always been He added: “The Board of Sport of major events, the timing and in 2017 we expect to pass 15,000 sea- approval and therefore the sums Again, due to the fact that the FAI and continues to be in compliance Ireland is informed of any payment delivery of the funded programme son ticket sales because of the great issued were calculated on the previ- had yet to receive grant approval, its with Sport Ireland criteria and at the next opportunity. and costs already incurred, the value we give.” ous year’s funding figures. chairman asked for drawdown to be demands. With competitive interna- “In order for a drawdown to be schedule of the Sport Ire- Despite the record 2016 turnover, it Grant approval for the football issued based on the previous year’s tional fixtures and domestic National considered, the funded body must land grant process and was a case of deja vu in 2017 as the body was issued on June 16 of that funding figures. League games not usually starting have provided signed terms and con- Board decisions. FAI chief approached Sport Ireland year, and the very next day Delaney His request for half of the funds to until late February or early March, ditions of funding, a report on the @craigfarrell87 Sport fund . . . Treacy T JUS .10 €1 ROSS U-TURNED ON DELANEY FUND AXE EXCLUSIVE by CRAIG FARRELL and NEIL COTTER SHANE Ross personally intervened to secure the FAI an extra €195,000 in funding following a meeting with John Delaney, the Irish Sun can reveal. The Sports Minister, left, wrote to Sport Ireland supporting a proposal which had previously been rejected by his department. The FAI acknowledged Continued on Page Six Thursday, March 21, 2019 BEST VALUE IN IRELAND €1.10 (55p NI) www.thesun.ie KKIINNAAHHAANN IINN DDUUBBAAII PICTURE EXCLUSIVE

RATBy STEPHEN BREEN MOB godfather Christy Kinahan smirks in a Panama hat as he enjoys the high life in Dubai. Our exclusive shot shows the Dapper Don at a lavish party in his bolthole. He is currently trying to save sons Christopher Jr JENNIFER: and Daniel from being booted out of their Middle East haven, but can’t get an Irish law firm to help. A source said: “Legal firms all know how toxic and dangerous they are.” Shady characters Full Story — Pages Four & Five . . . Christy Sr and, Reality below, Christopher TV bites IN Jr and bro Daniel SEE PAGE 13 THE WIN lChristy Sr’s premium Panama pose tickets to IRELAND v lFights bid GEORGIA to exile sons FULL DETAILS: SEE PAGE 28 HAT 6 ...... Thursday, March 21, 2019 1RM 1RM Thursday, March 21, 2019 ...... 7 EXCLUSIVE:EXCLUSIVE: FAIFAI CHIEFCHIEF EXECEXEC SECUREDSECURED FUNDFUND U-TURNU-TURN AFTERAFTER INTERVENTIONINTERVENTION

SPORTS Minister Shane EXCLUSIVE by CRAIG FARRELL Ross asked Sport Ireland and NEIL COTTER TEAM OF to approve a previously- in the FAI’s financial position” and rejected €195,000 grant to they were seeking “additional clari- STRIKERS LOAN ‘UNUSUAL’ fication in relation to this matter.” the FAI after a meeting Continued from Page One Delaney’s appearance. He told the Irish In the letter to Delaney on June Stephanie Roche was last night that they have written to the Sun: “The timing of their invite is with John Delaney. 15, 2017, Sport Ireland confirmed among the Irish players Office of the Director of Corporate poorly judged. I’ll be asking them hard The FAI requested the six- the FAI’s proposal seeking “extra asking for fairer payments Enforcement “offering clarification” on questions on April 10, so don’t fancy figure sum for the international support in 2017 for the Senior clinking glasses on April 4.” women’s team in 2017 around Women’s International Football any issues raised by a 2017 loan. Team” was unsuccessful. In a further development, it emerged Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was quizzed the time of a strike threat. The grant money was to act as members of the Oireachtas sports by reporters yesterday on the However, in June 2017, Sport Ire- land boss John Treacy wrote to Del- financial support to go towards the committee were invited to an FAI €100,000 “bridging loan” provided by funding of 15 elite female players. Delaney to his employers in 2017. aney to inform him the Department drinks reception just a week before of Sport was not in a position to Its aim was to alleviate the bur- Delaney is due to appear before them. He said: “It does seem a bit unusual provide the extra funding. den faced by these players taking Fine Gael TD Noel Rock received an a body of that size given the funding it And FOI documents show that at time off work to allow for them to invite from the Association to the draw receives. I would have thought [the FAI] a June 12 meeting, Delaney failed to train. It was also to allow for access for the UEFA Under-17 Championship at had banking facilities that would have make a compelling case for the to an elite Athlete Training Pro- the 3Arena on April 4, six days before provided for a loan.” Draw invite . . . Rock €195,000 in the opinion of Depart- gramme and extra individual train- ment officials. ing for young high-potential players. The next month, Delaney and FAI Treacy explained he had included board member Niamh O’Donoghue the proposal in his submission to met with Minister Ross and Junior the Department as part of the esti- Minister Brendan Griffin. mates process for that year, but that The following year Ross was no additional funding was received. happy to support an extra €195,000 Three days after the June 12, 2017 Meeting . . Ross for women’s football. In a letter proposal presentation, a Department and FAI boss from Treacy to Delaney on May 9, of Sport memo was sent from one 2018 he wrote: “You may be aware Departmental official to several Delaney, right Shane Ross TD has recently written other officials. It detailed the meet- to Sport Ireland outlining his sup- ing and highlighted a number of port for the FAI’s proposal seeking issues with the FAI’s pitch. extra support of €195,000 in 2018 for According to the correspondence, the Senior Women’s International there was no cost breakdown given Football Team.” for the Athlete Training Programme. Oireachtas Sports committee Issues were also highlighted with member Catherine Murphy is now the proposed length of time for the demanding answers from the Minis- grant, as the FAI documentation ter. The Social Democrats TD told covered a three-year period, how- the Irish Sun: “I would have con- ever, a five-year period was referred cerns that Sport Ireland are being to during the discussion. contacted by a Minister to support The memo reads: “The cost would one particular proposal. I will be be €195,000 p.a. [Although the docu- asking Shane Ross on how many ment covers a three-year period, a other occasions he’s done this? five-year commitment was repeat- “Sport Ireland’s job is to evaluate edly mentioned at the meeting]. proposals. They have that responsi- However, in the breakdown of costs, bility. How appropriate is it for no costing for an elite Athlete Shane Ross to support the FAI pro- Training Programme is shown. posal? There is failure here on a “I personally did not feel the number of levels. FAI representatives “I have issues with the made a compelling case. Ministerial interference. The “player’s strike” If the proposal is of a was not addressed in poor quality, the Minister detail but dismissed as should be concerned being about money about that. This is a ‘daily allowances’.” critical issue — he is In April 2017, players JUNE supporting what is not a from the Republic of Ire- robust proposal.” land women’s team 2017 We can also reveal the revealed a list of issues grant was not included they had regarding SPORTS IRELAND in a list sent to Deputy unfair treatment from Murphy in a Parliamen- the FAI. The grievances tary Question on Decem- included a lack of remu- ber 4 last. She asked neration on international Minister Ross to supply duty, a lack of kit, gym BOSS TELLS DELANEY details of the amount of Questions . . . Murphy membership, having to funding or grant aid share tracksuits and made by his Department change in the toilets. to the FAI between 2008-2018. It continued: “Effectively, the In the reply which came from a request is for an allowance of €11,000 GRANT BID REJECTED Sport Ireland official, it showed that per annum to be paid to 15 elite €2,565,410 was provided in grants in players for a period of five years. 2018 along with €142,500 for women “In this regard it may be noted in sport — but nothing on the addi- some of the players are professional tional €195,000. but the status of the 15 players was MAY A Sport Ireland spokesman said not clarified. The Ministers did not the sum was transferred to the FAI make any commitment to funding the day after the answer to the PQ but undertook to consider the pro- 2018 on December 19. He said: “I can posal ‘sympathetically’.” LETTER REVEALS confirm this payment was com- In the May 2018 letter to Delaney, pleted on December 20, 2018.” Treacy confirmed the grant had Department officials were said to been given the go ahead and went be unconvinced of the merits of the on to say discussions between Sport pitch following the meeting on June Ireland and the FAI executive were MINISTER SUPPORTS 12, 2017. A memo by a Department under way regarding the “required official highlighted a number of framework, governance and opera- concerns with the FAI’s grant pitch, tion of the funding programme”. including that the senior national On November 15, Delaney got in women’s team strike had been “dis- contact with Sport Ireland seeking a TOSSED €195k PLEA missed as being about money” dur- drawdown of the €195,000. ing the meeting. Sport Ireland later confirmed that Despite all this, Minister Ross con- the payment was made on Decem- tacted Sport Ireland last year to ber 20 but there was no official outline his backing for handing the documention verifying the drawdown football organisation an extra payment in the Freedom of Informa- €195,000 of State funds on top of the tion trawl. €2.7million they were set to receive. The FAI last night said in a state- This latest revelation comes on ment: “The FAI confirms a reply THE the back of a report that FAI boss has been sent to John Treacy in Delaney wrote a personal cheque to relation to a letter received on the association in 2017 for €100,000, behalf of Minister Ross on Tuesday. a payment he insisted was a fully- “The FAI has answered all queries paid-back “bridging loan”. raised in the letter from Mr Treacy Last week, it was revealed that and looks forward to his response. the FAI chief failed in a High Court “The FAI are willing to meet with bid to get an injunction against The Minister Ross and Sport Ireland to Sunday Times reporting the story — discuss matters further. The FAI has a move estimated to have cost Del- also written to the Office of the aney at least €50,000. Director of Corporate Enforcement On Tuesday, Sport Ireland, the offering clarification on any issues State agency responsible for the dis- raised by a 2017 bridging loan made tribution of State funding to Irish by CEO John Delaney to the Associ- sporting bodies, said they had con- ation and will answer any questions tacted the FAI in relation to the loan. the ODCE may have. The FAI also The body said they were “not acknowledges we are invited to notified at any stage in 2017 about appear in the front of the Oireachtas any apparent material deterioration Committee on Sport on April 10.” Rossurrection 2 ...... Friday, March 22, 2019 1RM DELANEY LOAN ROW INSIDE STORY The four things you need to know today EU members CALL US: TEXT US: FAI REPAID could push 01 479 2579 087 096 3013 Brexit back to EMAIL US: mid-May if UK [email protected] approves deal BOSS DAY SEE PAGE 10 Daily glass of TODAY’S OJ could cut WEATHER risk of strokes 9 by a quarter, AFTER OK a study claims SEE PAGE 14 11 €100,000 loan . . . 10 Delaney Telly star Sile 12 TO GRANT missed out on top movie role due to lack of 10 Sought swift access to sport fund self-confidence 12 THE FAI repaid John EXCLUSIVE by CRAIG FARRELL Mick McCarthy’s first game SEE PAGE 17 back in charge away to 11 Delaney his “bridging obtained the cash to repay Gibraltar have been overshad- loan” of €100,000 the Delaney’s loan. owed by off-the-field events. Oireachtas Sports Committee Details of the cheque 10 day after they were member Noel Rock told the emerged on Sunday, after an Paedo killer of granted their annual Irish Sun the timeline makes eleventh hour High Court him feel “uneasy”. injunction bid by Delaney to Alesha, 6, was Sport Ireland funding. The TD said: “On the face have the Sunday Times story We can also reveal that of it, the timeline is remark- about the loan binned. called ‘evil’ by on the day he was repaid able and it appears the loan We revealed this week that the six-figure sum, the to Mr Delaney was paid back the legal action will cost the her mum as he footie organisation asked the day after grant approval soccer boss €50,000. WEATHER with for more state cash to be was received. We also told how Sports got 27yrs in jail ISOBEL LANG “The loan was, insofar as Minister Shane Ross asked sent across to them. Sport Ireland to approve a Delaney had written the we can see, not declared. This SEE PAGE 21 massive cheque to the FAI in makes me uneasy, as it previously-rejected €195,000 April 2017 to get them through possibly means taxpayers’ grant to the FAI after meeting what he claims was a money in the form of a grant with Delaney in 2017. temporary cash flow issue. was basically being used to The FAI requested the sum ON THIS DAY We can now reveal that on pay back a loan. for the international women’s June 15, Sport Ireland “The timelines make this team in 2017 around the time IN HISTORY... SATSUNMON awarded the FAI grants of hard to dispute. The FAI then of a strike threat. around €2.7million. submitted another request for When Sports Ireland chief Then on June 16, Delaney a drawdown of state funding.” John Treacy told Delaney was repaid his bridging loan. Ireland’s preparations for there was no extra funding But on the same day he got available, the soccer boss met TODAY: A cloudy day with rain in the west and in touch with Sport Ireland with Minister Ross and Junior northwest. This will spread east during the morning seeking access to another Minister Brendan Griffin. and early afternoon. Expect strong winds to come quarter of the state funding. Despite making what The FAI had already drawn department officials said was alongside this. As the day goes on, the rain will a less than compelling case, clearFOG with some sunny spells. down 50 per cent — roughly €1.35million — earlier in the the following year Ross was TONIGHT: It will stay clear but will turn a lot cooler happy to support an extra as winds hit the country. year prior to getting the official green light. €195,000 for women’s football. Ice one . . . Lipinski OUTLOOK: The weekend will be a lot colder with The FAI is due to be asked Delaney wrote on June 16: 1912: Steptoe and Son frosty night but during the day expect the rain to “As this confirmation letter is hard questions about its stay away. Some fog will hit overnight on Friday. finances at the Oireachtas actor Wilfrid Brambell is later than usual I would born in Dublin. appreciate if you could Sports Committee on April 10. But it’s now 1934: Augusta National accommodate our draw- Golf Club hosts the first This publication supports the work of the Press down request for a fur- offered to go Masters Tournament in Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press ther 25 per cent of our before it a week Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Augusta, US. 2017 grant in June.” earlier — as it 1945: The Arab League Code of Practice for journalists in Ireland. confirmed that You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact The FAI declined is founded to promote to comment when Take Noel Delaney will be the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call prisoners political, economic, and 1890 208 080, or email: [email protected] asked where they appearing. cultural collaboration . . . Mick & among its 21 members. TD Rock 1963: The Beatles release their first album Please Please Me. 1965: The US confirms FOLLOW US ON: that its troops used @IRISHSUNONLINE chemical warfare against Struggle for life the Vietcong. 1979: Two members of LIKE US ON: the IRA assassinate FACEBOOK.COM/THEIRISHSUN Richard Sykes, British ambassador to the Neth- erlands, outside his resi- READ US ON: dence at The Hague. WWW.THESUN.IE 1993: The Intel Corpora- tion produces the first Pentium microprocessor. 1997: Tara Lipinski becomes the youngest QUOTE OF THE DAY female figure skating “I always judge someone by how they treat people in world champion. shops. If they’re rude to them, that’s who they really are.” 2004: An Israeli missile — Columnist JIM-JIM on horrible celebs and why it strike kills Palestinian pays to be sound if you’re famous. Islamist leader Sheikh DESPERATE survivors of Cyclone Ahmed Yassin, a co- Idai pull rice sacks from a ware- founder of Hamas. 2018: US President Don- house in Beira, Mozambique, with ald Trump imposes BINGO: PAGE 25 the death toll now reaching 350. $60billion worth of tariffs MYSTIC MEG: PAGE 38 on Chinese imports. JUST €1.10 BOY,, 3 IS CRITICAL AFTER HIT AND RUN By ANN MOONEY A THREE-year-old boy was rushed to hospital yesterday afternoon with serious head injuries after being hit by a car that failed to stop. The toddler is understood to have been chasing a ball on to the road when he was struck. As he lay seriously injured outside his home at Castle Meadows, just off Skehard Road in Cork Scene . . . in Cork Turn to Page Six Tuesday, March 26, 2019 BEST VALUE IN IRELAND €1.10 (55p NI) www.thesun.ie SHOWBIZ D E L A N E Y E X C L U S I V E EXCLUSIVE J o h n s o r t e d

J-LO’S Wo r l d C u p FELLA By NEIL COTTER and ADAM HIGGINS JOHN Delaney secured two tickets to SHOWED the 2018 World Cup Final for one of the TDs due to grill him at next month’s Dail Sport Committee, we can reveal. Kevin O’Keeffe paid the full €1,806 ME HIS price for two passes sourced by Delaney. Asked if it might be an issue ahead of the hearings, he told theIrish Sun: “I don’t know A-ROD what the problem is. The FAI got us the tickets but, at the SEE end of the day, we’d PAGE to pay our own way.” 23 Full Story — P4&5 F i n a l fo r Tix . . John, left, & Kev

IRELAND v GEORGIA 7.45pm Da i l q u i z T D LET’S MAKE A RACKET F F ’ s O ’ K E E F F E P A I D € 1 , 8 0 6 F O R T I C K E T S SEE SUNSPORT 4 ...... Tuesday, March 26, 2019 1RM 1RM Tuesday, March 26, 2019 ...... 5 FAIFAI CHIEFCHIEF HELPEDHELPED POLITICIANPOLITICIAN GETGET TOTO SEESEE FRANCEFRANCE VSVS CROATIACROATIA STEP DOWN PROGRAMME Delaney with his partner Under-fire Emma English Delaney League of its own . . . Delaney’s pad

EXCLUSIVE by NEIL COTTER and ADAM HIGGINS Home goals . . . swanky living room EMBATTLED FAI boss John Delaney secured World Cup FAI paid Final tickets for a TD who is due to grill him at the Oireachtas Sports Committee, his rent the Irish Sun can reveal. The new Executive Vice Presi- got World dent is set to be quizzed by politi- cians next month following several and cut revelations of financial practices at the FAI. MATCH SELFIE One of the TDs set to question FAI executives on our pay April 10 is Fianna Fail’s Kevin O’Keeffe who attended Dream team . . . spacious bedroom last summer’s World Cup Final after getting tickets By ADAM HIGGINS through Delaney. It’s understood the Cork STAFF at the FAI yesterday TD met Delaney while out called for an explanation of House fit socialising last year and why it was paying John Del- asked him about the possi- aney’s rent while they endured bility of landing tickets to crippling pay cuts. the showpiece event in Mos- Trade union Siptu yesterday cow on July 15. claimed FAI workers had their for a king Cup Final The then-FAI Chief Execu- salaries slashed by between tive managed to bag two passes for the FF sports ten and 15 per cent in 2012. THIS is the interior of the plush TD O’Keeffe at the final spokesperson who paid the This week, it was revealed €868,000 pad bought by ex-FAI Chief full €903 each for them. the organisation paid rent of Executive John Delaney last month. Speaking to the Irish Sun, €3,000 a month in 2016 for a The footie boss splurged on the five- O’Keeffe said he didn’t see a problem plush house in Co Wicklow for bed, four-bathroom home in Co Wicklow with getting tickets from Delaney and head honcho Delaney. on February 20 after the FAI had paid asked: “How (else) would I get a World Siptu’s Sport Sector Orga- rent for a number of houses Delaney Cup Final ticket?” niser Denis Hynes said: “This had been living in for the past decade. He added: “Any tickets I would have issue has particularly in- The plush home named Craffield is got from the FAI I would have paid for censed our members. on eight acres of land and includes a them. The tickets I got, I paid for them. “Our members are calling I was looking for tickets to the World tennis court, waterfall and stables. Cup Final and they were exclusive.” on the FAI to immediately The palatial home also contains sec- The Mitchelstown TD revealed he make a statement on its exact urity cameras, two open fires and paid €903 each for the tickets through financial arrangements with uPVC double glazed windows. tickets for the FAI to see France beat Croatia 4-2 John Delaney. in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. “Further, they demand that He admitted he asked Delaney about the board explain its decision tickets for the final while out socialising making processes in deciding and claimed he and his friend who to reimburse its adequately attended the match paid for the tickets, paid CEO while at the same accommodation and flights to the game. time stating that it could not He said: “Myself and my friend did find the monies to restore the FF’S KEVIN O’KEEFFE PAID €1,806 FOR PASSES everything on our own two feet — we l organised our flights and accommoda- earnings of workers who were tion and everything like that.” dedicated to developing foot- The Cork TD is part of a group of ball in communities across politicians due to question FAI repre- the country.” sentatives, including Delaney, at the Oireachtas Sport Committee next month INSISTS HE ‘CAN’T FIND A PROBLEM WITH IT’ over odd financial practices at the foot- l ball association. When asked if he thinks the FAI boss TD on Dail helping him to get World Cup tickets was above board” when it came to get- FAI has been paying the rent for eted €360,000 a year for his role as cer is going to be, will require clarity term loan. It’s very strange . . . The will be an issue given his involvement ting the tickets and also revealed that houses Delaney had been living in for head of the FAI — with his salary once on his future role. fact it wasn’t disclosed, it wasn’t in in the Oireachtas Sport Committee, several TDs receive tickets to Ireland’s much of the last decade. reaching as high as €450,000. “Many people involved in (Irish foot- the accounts, it wasn’t disclosed at O’Keeffe told the Irish Sun: “I can’t find home games from the FAI. This included the Irish footie organi- FAI Chief Operating Officer Rea Wal- ball) or amateur sports will have ques- the AGM . . . there was a whole a problem with it.” Asked if he got tickets from the FAI sation footing a €3,000 a month bill for she has been appointed Interim Chief tions surrounding the future of this role area of secrecy around it, looking He added: “I don’t know what the for Ireland home games in the Aviva a house located in Co Wicklow that is Executive until a permanent replace- and what the future costs will be.” for a court injunction to prevent problem is. I went to the World Cup Stadium, O’Keeffe said: “I have, yeah.” owned by broadcaster Grainne Seoige. ment for Delaney can be found. It is Sport Ireland, the governing body for the article by the Sunday Times with a friend of mine and thankfully the Earlier this month, it was revealed Last month, Delaney bought a swanky expected a new CEO will be appointed all sport in Ireland, yesterday revealed being published last week. FAI got us the tickets. But at the end of that Delaney provided his employer, the €868,000 five-bedroom house in Wick- at the FAI’s AGM in July. the FAI did not consult with them “The Football Association of Ire- the day we had to pay our own way.” FAI, with a €100,000 ‘bridging loan’ in low just 45km away from the home The Minister for Finance Paschal before moving Delaney to his new role. land is a publicly funded body — so The TD also claimed that if he was a 2017 to help them with a short-term rented by the FAI. Donohoe yesterday said that Delaney’s Fran Rooney, who was FAI Chief this is taxpayers’ money. politician from Africa, he would have cash flow problem. Following the reports, the Waterford new role as Executive Vice President Executive before Delaney’s 14-year reign, “It should be disclosed through been able to buy cheaper tickets. On St Patrick’s Day, Delaney failed in man stepped down from his role as needs to be clarified before a new FAI said the entire football board has a lot Sport Ireland, through Shane He said: “If I was from South Africa, a High Court bid to get an injunction Chief Executive of the FAI to take up a Chief Exec is appointed. of questions to answer. Ross’s Department.” say Mozambique, I wouldn’t have been to block the Sunday Times’ story detail- new €120,000 a year position as Execu- He said: “I think anybody who is He told RTE: “It’s very unusual. This @IrishSunOnline given the same price. It would have ing the loan. It’s estimated that this tive Vice President, which will see him looking to apply for that job in the is an organisation that has extensive been cheaper.” action cost him at least €50,000. have responsibility for all Uefa and Fifa future, anybody who has an interest in banking facilities, so should be in a Will quiz Deleney committee The Cork politician said “everything Last week, it was revealed that the matters. Delaney had previously pock- what the future governance of Irish soc- position to go to its bank for a short- soon . . . O’Keeffe T JUS SEE .10 PAGES €1 28&29

Thursday, March 28, 2019 BEST VALUE IN IRELAND €1.10 (55p NI) www.thesun.ie Cara: How I get bi in bedroom Prime mover . . Theresa May to quit but deal KO HOSPITAL FALL TRAGEDY by DUP

By GARY MENEELY THE DUP last night appeared to crush Theresa May’s hopes of saving her Brexit deal — despite the British PM’s offer to resign if it got through. Leader Arlene Foster declared her party, which props up the UK govern- ment, still could not sup- port the deal because it posed “a threat to the integrity” of the UK. Full Story — Pages 14&15 Loving parent . . Marie IN HERwelcomed a third boy

By ANN MOONEY A BABY boy who died along with his mum in a hospital tragedy will be buried in her arms. Mother-of-three Marie Downey, 36, was found on the floor of her Cork University Maternity Hospital room on Monday morning. Newborn Darragh was badly injured and lost his fight for life on Tuesday afternoon. A friend of Marie said: “She adored her Gotta role with it . . John boys and was so looking forward to the birth of her new baby.” Delaney ARMS Full Story — Page Five plans to stay till Euro ’20

EXCLUSIVE by NEIL COTTER JOHN Delaney wants to stay in his new €120,000 role until Euro 2020 — after FOREVER which he will step down. It’s believed the FAI board is split on whether lMarie and baby Darragh for burial together the new Exec Vice Presi- dent carries on until then. A source said: “There is talk of a compromise, that Delaney stays on no longer than until the Euros are lLoved ones tell how mother ‘adored her sons’ over when he walks away.” Full Story — Pages Six and Seven 6 ...... Thursday, March 28, 2019 1RM 1RM Thursday, March 28, 2019 ...... 7 Etruscan HOOKERS ‘HURT tomb find PPRREESSSSUURREE OONN FFOOOOTTIIEE GGOOVVEERRNNIINNGG BBOODDYY MMOOUUNNTTSS ARCHAEOLOGISTS have unearthed an Etruscan tomb containing a skeleton and dozens of MORE’ BY LAWS artefacts in Corsica. CRIME against sex workers has By AOIFE MOORE The discovery could shed almost doubled in the two years new light on the wealthy since new laws were imple- number of incidents reported from 2015-2017 was 4,278. Since the law civilisation of northern mented, campaigners have said. change, from 2017-2019, incidents rose Italy and its move into the Ireland adopted the ‘Nordic Model’ to 10,076. Roman Empire. on March 27, 2017, criminalising Kate McGrew, sex worker the purchase of sex, not the It was found in a vault, and director of Sex Workers chiselled into the rock selling of sex, which the Alliance Ireland, said: “Sex Government says is aimed at and dating back to the Future . . . Delaney workers are not decriminalised. fourth century BC, within tackling trafficking and The penalties of sex workers protecting vulnerable people sharing premises together, also a large Roman necropolis. in prostitution. known as brothel-keeping, has PLEASE SIR.. Sex worker organisations doubled since the introduction PHWOAR STAR HOTEL Big talks have said the new laws make of the new Sexual Offences workers more vulnerable. Bill in 2017. A travel firm is offering The number of sex workers “Sex workers are now forced up to 40 people the over new using app UglyMugs.ie has to work in isolation, which puts chance to go on an over- Winners . . Delaney & partner Emma English watch Ireland beat Georgia remained steady at between them at further risk of violence night trip to a fancy hotel 6,000 and 7,000 per year. The Woe . . worker and exploitation.” with a porn star in Japan. THE FAI returned with the begging bowl and requested an early drawdown of its funding from Sport Ireland John role once again this year. By NEIL COTTER The Irish Sun revealed in January that between 2015 and 2018 John Delaney — CEO at the time before he changed roles to THE FAI board has been Executive Vice President last weekend — sought early access to engaging in crunch talks millions of euro of State funding that hadn’t been approved yet. over the future of their And now we have learned that on January 25 of this year, the FAI former CEO John Delaney, requested an early drawdown of 25 per cent of its 2019 funding from Sport CAN I HAVE we understand. Ireland. However, unlike in years Delaney wants to stay gone by, it was Director of Finance EXCLUSIVE by CRAIG FARRELL, on in his new Executive Eamon Breen rather than Delaney NEIL COTTER and JOHN HAND Vice President role until making the request. Euro 2020 before step- In the email, which we accessed terms of the current agreement with ping down. It’s believed through Freedom of Information () (principal, interest rate, term, repayments)? 3. How much of the key FAI personnel met requests, Breen tells Sport Ireland’s twice since the weekend. CEO John Treacy that they want a current loan agreement is related to quarter of the funding based on the the Aviva and how much is the Board members were in amount the Association received in ongoing capital requirements of the Abbotstown yesterday as 2018, which was €2.7million. FAI? 4. What security is () seeking? a meeting was held. At the time, the allocation for 2019 5. Is the stadium operating profit- A source said: “There had not been decided. ably? 6. Is FAI operating profitably? is talk of a compromise. Mr Breen adds: “I trust you will The FAI replied promptly, but on That Delaney stays on no look favourably on our request.” February 3 Department officials longer than until the Earlier this month, we told how wrote back seeking clarification on SOME MORE? Euros are over when he out of the big three sports — foot- six of the nine answers. walks away. All options ball, GAA and rugby — the FAI An official asked the FAI to “help TWIST OR STICK are being considered.” alone needs to beg for early draw- reconcile the difference between the How John could have looked in 1968 Oliver! film figure originally supplied to the Another source said: down of State funding. “Delaney hopes that by Neither the GAA nor IRFU made Department and the () figure in your reply”. offering to step down that a single request for early access in he will survive for now.” the period from 2015 to 2018. He went on to ask: “Can you sup- FOI documents show the FAI had ply the information sought, we will TD Noel Rock said: “It quicker access to funds than the treat it as commercially sensitive, SOME QUESTIONS DEPT seems the FAI are in GAA or IRFU when the rival sports including for the purposes of FOI? complete chaos now.” asked where the cash was. Does the FAI plan to use this facil- OF SPORT ASKED FAI, The GAA twice had to contact ity as ().” Sport Ireland in late 2018 to ask These questions related to the OBTAINED UNDER FOI when they would deliver the terms of the current debt agreement funding, while in the same year and the FAI capital requirements. the FAI were granted half of Then: “Can you supply the their €2.7million allocation financial statements directly to the in January. Department?” Meanwhile, the Depart- The FAI again promptly TOP SECRET ment of Sport promised A few follow- responded, but in April to keep financial details the Department was supplied to them by up questions back on and wrote: the FAI secret when “The Department Why has the FAI entered into looking for answers ’d be grateful accountant has taken a they required. I look at the replies you (redacted) different financial Clear-up . . . security The Dept was inves- you would provided to our arrangements for the financing of tigating the governing if questions in February body’s finances in 2016 to and she has a few fol- their contribution to the stadium? reply low-up questions which I ‘Balls not prior to approving a refi- nancing deal on the Aviva would be grateful if you stadium debt. could reply to.” Asked why the Department How much of the current loan But even while carrying out the so bad in due diligence — and after shelling offered to keep information supplied agreement is related to the Aviva out €191million for the development by the FAI out of Freedom of Infor- of the old Lansdowne Road — it had mation, a spokesperson said: “All and how much is the ongoing to repeatedly ask the FAI to release recipients of Sports Capital Grant a protest’ the information it needed. Funding are made aware of the fact capital requirements of the FAI? One assurance given was a vow to that information provided by them By JOHN HAND keep details provided out of the may be released under the Freedom reach of Freedom of Information. Of Information Act. JUNIOR Sports Minister “It is standard procedure, how- Is the stadium and FAI operating Brendan Griffin has Sports Committee member Noel ever, for any commercially sensitive Rock told the Irish Sun: “This gives profitably? Can you supply the defended the Green Army information, or information obtained for their tennis ball pro- us even more questions to answer. in confidence to be excluded from Why was it necessary for the the records released.” financial statements directly to test on Tuesday. Department to have to sweeten up Last night, Minister for Sport Ireland fans halted the the FAI with a promise to hide Shane Ross — who did not attend the Department? Euro 2020 qualifier at details in order for them to release Tuesday night’s match — refused to the Aviva Stadium in pro- the information? comment on reports that have test against the FAI. “Is this a regular occurrence? Or emerged over the past two weeks. What are the precise terms of The game against Geor- is the FAI getting special treatment? A spokesperson for the Minister gia was disrupted in the Why should information relating to said: “Sport Ireland is engaging the current agreement with 33rd minute as fans the FAI’s financial position be sub- with the FAI with a view to clarify- ject to being hidden and protected (redacted) (principal, interest pelted the Aviva Stadium ing the position with regard to pitch with tennis balls. by a Government Department?” recently reported matters. Ministers rate, term, repayments) As part of the probe, officials over Ross and (Brendan) Griffin do not Griffin said supporters a period of at least four months in propose to comment until such time are entitled to voice their 2016 repeatedly asked the as the position is clear.” displeasure at how the Association to provide key informa- The Department of Sport would FAI is being run. tion in order to green-light the only release 17 of 101 documents He said: “Once it’s Bank of Ireland restructure which requested by the Irish Sun on this peaceful and it’s not vio- the FAI later claimed would save topic. We have appealed this. lent and once it’s not them €10million. A Sport Ireland spokesman said: impacting on other peo- The Dept submitted nine questions “Regardless of the sports body in ple, I don’t think you can on January 31 which we received question, Sport Ireland treats all prevent people from partially redacted under FOI. requests for drawdowns on a case- FAI begged for early Dept of Sport deal to l l smuggling tennis balls These included: 1. Why has the by-case basis.” FAI entered into (redacted) different An FAI spokesman added: “The into a stadium. financial arrangements for the Association has always been and “You know, you can financing of their contribution to continues to be in compliance with conceal tennis balls the stadium? 2. What are precise Sport Ireland criteria and demands.” money AGAIN in 2019 keep finances hush-hush pretty handily.” JUST €1.10 ‘MARY & NEW MAN SECRETLY RECORDED’ By EOIN REYNOLDS MARY Lowry and her new lover were secretly recorded, Bobby Ryan’s murder trial heard yesterday. Gardai discovered a taped conversation with the man she started seeing after the DJ went missing. It was on a computer cops seized from murder accused Patrick Quirke’s home, with Lowry tell- ing the court it was “100 per cent” their voices. Full Story — Page 13 Friday, March 29, 2019 BEST VALUE IN IRELAND €1.10 (55p NI) www.thesun.ie DELANEY EXCLUSIVE SHOWBIZ EXCLUSIVE

Let’s FAI Going gets Duff . . . singer ‘was partying hard the music with the band’ & dance NADIA’S COSTS Boyz COVERED Keith

in tour By NICK PARKER SEE BOYZONE star Keith PAGES Duffy was rushed to 4&5 hospital in Thailand last night after col- lapsing before a gig. Dubliner Keith, 44, was being treated in a Bangkok hospital with his wife Lisa at his bedside. It came 24 hours after he suggested he had been partying with bandmates. Sources revealed he suffered violent diar- rhoea and vomiting. PINCH OF NOM collapse Full Story — Page Seven Exclusive recipes from new lMISSES GIG IN HOSPITAL DASH diet craze lWIFE AT HIS BANGKOK BEDSIDE SEE PAGES 26 & 27 4 ...... Friday, March 29, 2019 1RM 1RM Friday, March 29, 2019 ...... 5 MMODELMOODDEELL PPARTNEREDPAARRTTNNEERREEDD DDELANEYDEELLAANNEEYY AATATT SSTRICTLYSTTRRIICCTTLLYY CCHARITYCHHAARRIITTYY FFOOTIEFOOOOTTIIEE BBASHBAASSHH HE’S A FOX(TROT) IN THE BOX

Nadia was Report . . . Minister Ross: FAI loan story raises big LAPPING UP ACCLAIM Dance duo with host Andrea Hayes flown over John and Nadia dance up a storm concerns By JOHN HAND SPORTS Minister Shane Ross last night said John Delaney’s €100,000 “bridging loan” to the FAI raised “serious concerns”. EXCLUSIVE by BARRY MORAN It was the first time and NEIL COTTER EMMA AND NADIA Ross spoke about the rev- elation, a story Delaney MODEL Nadia Forde was paid tried to block in a failed to dance with former FAI High Court injunction. chief John Delaney in a charity He said: “Recent media from LA Strictly Come Dancing event, reports regarding a loan provided to the FAI by its the Irish Sun has learned. CEO have raised serious The I’m A Celeb star was flown questions about govern- over from Los Angeles and had ance and financial con- her expenses covered for the high- trols in the FAI. profile event in aid of the Home- “Sport Ireland is less World Cup. engaged with the Associ- Finances at the FAI have come under ation to clarify these mat- increasing scrutiny in recent weeks ters and when the after it emerged Delaney tried to necessary clarifications injunct The Sunday Times over a con- have been received from troversial €100,000 “bridging loan”. the FAI, Sport Ireland will The former CEO — who stepped aside submit a report to me.” at the weekend amid the controversy — The minister was to dance is set to face a grilling by an Oireach- answering questions from tas Committee next month over the Fine Gael TD Noel Rock. Association’s cash flow issues following Rock said: “We saw the a series of Irish Sun revelations. revelation of an unde- We have now learned that in 2013, clared directors loan. top model Nadia was flown in from her The question has to be LA base to take part in the dancing fundraiser and partnered with Delaney. Delaney’s partner, left, & Forde asked, why was this nec- The Strictly Soccer Charity Fundraiser essary? Is it the only time was held in Citywest in aid of John that happened? Why Giles’ Foundation and Ireland’s Street wasn’t it declared?” Leagues, which raises money for teams NATIONAL ANTHEM The Irish Sun revealed to compete in the Homeless World Cup. in January that between It is unclear at this point whether the 2015 and 2018 Delaney FAI or the charitable causes ultimately sought early access to with John picked up the tab — and we have asked Fancy footwork . . . John and state funding that hadn’t the FAI for comment. Nadia cut a rug at charity event been approved yet. A spokesperson for Nadia last night And yesterday we told told the Irish Sun: “I can confirm Nadia how the FAI requested an was asked to attend this event and that early drawdown of 25 per it was a paid work event.” cent of its 2019 funding The star-studded do featured a large from Sport Ireland on number of Irish internationals, top models, socialites and stylists, none of January 25. whom asked by us received a fee. Dublin North West TD Dancing with the Stars regular Brian Rock said: “We’ve all Redmond — who received no fee — was been taken aback by the among the judges on the night, along- governance and corporate side Giles, socialite Lisa Murphy and issues within the FAI. journalist Barry Egan “I strongly believe it is But we can also reveal Forde — who now time to set the ..all of her went on to become close friends with course right, set the Delaney, 51, and performed the national record straight and com- anthem at the Aviva — was paid to FAI SUPREMO MADE PERSONAL REQUEST mence an independent, a take part after a personal request from l truly independent exami- the then-FAI supremo. nation into both manage- An FAI source said: “The event was ment and finances which held in aid of the John Giles’ Founda- further state funding will tion and Ireland’s Street Leagues, who would have both split the monies raised. Delaney pal Nadia sings at Aviva be contingent upon.” “There was a high-profile press lSTAR-STUDDED DANCE-OFF RAISED €14,000 launch for the night, it was on a bigger scale than events they’d usually host. “The organisers were asked to book Nadia Forde for the night. worked. It worked out great. And we got ten at times, you’d wonder what’s going Nadia, 29, who welcomed baby girl star Redmond also confirmed he was approved yet. And on January 25 of “Her flights and expenses were cov- 14 grand. That’s the important thing.” on between me and Nadia. But listen, Wyatt with fiance Dominic Day last asked to take part, explaining: “A lady I this year, the FAI requested an early expenses ered. It was made clear that she was A major auction was also held on the we’re very firm friends. October, later spoke of losing contact know helps a homeless soccer charity drawdown of 25 per cent of its 2019 abroad and would have to be flown in night with prizes including Nicky “I think I’m more like a father figure. with Delaney after his new relationship and she asked me, but I wasn’t paid to funding from Sport Ireland. especially for the night. Byrne’s Strictly Come Dancing shoes, I’m 46 years of age, she is in her early began. In an interview she said: “Hon- judge on the night.” The €100,000 “bridging loan”, cou- “It certainly raised a few eyebrows. Kenny Egan’s boxing gloves and a din- 20s, to be fair. estly? I don’t understand it. Solicitor Gerald Kean also danced for pled with the information The event did OK.” ner with then-Ireland football manager “She is somebody I have a lot of “I haven’t spoken to him since he free. He told the Irish Sun: “I never received by the Irish Sun on Another source claimed: “Her flights Giovanni Trapattoni. respect for. She’s got a great career as started dating his girlfriend. charge a fee for charity events. early drawdowns, means seri- and expenses came out of the budget Forde and Delaney became firm a model. It looks like she is heading for “He got with her and that was that. I “Maybe that’s why I’m so popular — ous questions will be asked of for the night.” friends after this meeting in May 2013, a good career in terms of her singing. thought we were friends. So it’s a bit I’m f***ing cheap!” Delaney at an Oireachtas Delaney later boasted that the event with the model going on to sing the “I wish her well in that, for sure. strange, if not hurtful. The Irish Sun contacted the FAI with Committee next month. “worked out great” in terms of finances national anthem before a September “We’re great friends, and we get on “But I’m always at the end of the a detailed list of questions. We revealed yesterday how and bragged: “I chose the song for World Cup qualifier later that year. really, really well but we were never phone if he wants to chat, like I always Street Leagues Ireland declined to the Waterford native wants to Strictly event Nadia — she’s Dublin’s uptown girl. There was much speculation about the together — absolutely not.” was before. It’s hard to understand.” comment when contacted last night. stay on in his new €120,000 nature of their relationship but Delaney Delaney found love the following year A spokeswoman for Valerie Roe PR — The Irish Sun revealed in January launch . . Giles “I did my best. I like to dance a little Executive Vice President role and telly host bit but I have never been trained. told the Irish Sun in 2014 that they with former model and PR worker which publicised the event — said: “We that, between 2015 and 2018, Delaney until Euro 2020, after which “Brian (Redmond) was absolutely fan- were just “very firm friends”. Emma English, who was listed as one of don’t get involved in third party pay- sought early access to millions of euro he will step down. Andrea Hayes were paid tastic. He taught simple steps and it He insisted: “If you read what’s writ- the organisers of the 2013 dance event. ments, it’s far too messy.” Talent show of state funding that hadn’t been @IrishSunOnline 1RM Wednesday, April 3, 2019 ...... 9 FORMER FAI CHIEF’S REPEATED EXCUSES

EXCLUSIVE by CRAIG FARRELL and NEIL COTTER UNDER JOHN Delaney has not PRESSURE attended a single Sport Ireland There’s no show meeting since 2011. like a John show He turned down two invitations Delaney in the last six months and rejected an invite to another event in 2017. It’s not known how many times he’s been invited since 2011. Sport Ireland chief John Treacy will lead a delegation to the Oireachtas sports committee today to face questions over FAI governance. The body will discuss the FAI’s failure to adequately explain why Mr Delaney wrote them a €100,000 cheque in 2017 didn’t go and how the soccer body failed to inform them of Delaney’s new role until two days after a press release was issued on March 23. Mr Treacy will say: “Sport Ireland received a response from the President of the FAI, which acknowledged the loan of €100,000 to the FAI by its then Chief Executive. However, the contents of the FAI letter did not sufficiently explain the circumstances of this loan and its repay- ment, nor fully address the matter of to single compliance with Sport Ireland’s Terms and Conditions of Grant Approval. “S.I. again wrote to the President of the FAI re-seeking clarification on the circumstances of this loan. At the time of submission, no reply to the second letter has been received from the FAI.” Sport Ireland confirmed the last time Delaney — now FAI Executive Vice Pres- ident — attended a meeting with the board was almost eight years ago. A spokesman said: “I understand the meeting last time the Chief Executive of the FAI attended a meeting at the invitation of the Board was November 2011 (then Irish Sports Council).” The agency board has held 20 meet- ings between 2017 and the present. In the seven years that followed Del- aney’s last appearance, the FAI has received over €20million in state funding from the body. FOI documents show that in October at Sport last year, Treacy issued an invitation to Delaney to attend a board meeting on November, 20, 2018. Delaney responded: “Unfortunately, I will not be in a pos- ition to attend . . as the Republic of Ire- land play a Uefa Nations League match in Denmark on the night of Novem- ber 19.” In December 2018, Del- aney received a request to attend a Sport Ireland board meeting on February 5 this year but rejected Ireland.. the invite as he was due to attend the Uefa Con- gress in Italy. He confirmed his avail- ability to attend the next meeting on March 5, how- ever Sport Ireland couldn’t accommodate him. The FAI stated: “The FAI is engaged with Sport Ireland and will LETTER TO continue to work with Sport Ireland in in 8 yrs response to all THE DAIL matters Sport Ireland raised.” — S.I. SPOKESMAN REVEALS chief Treacy

HYHYHYHYHYHYHYH 6 ...... Wednesday, April 10, 2019 1RM 1RM Wednesday, April 10, 2019 ...... 7 SPECIALSPECIAL:: INSIDEINSIDE FINANCIALFINANCIAL WORKINGSWORKINGS OFOF DELANEY’SDELANEY’S F.A.I.F.A.I.

By NEIL COTTER and NEIL O’RIORDAN SENIOR SOURCE ON GRANT PAYMENTS JOHN Delaney’s ability to hand out grants of up to “He could go and give a grant up to €5,000 if he wanted. €5,000 to clubs without It was never dishonest, but when one person controls having to obtain board approval helped secure his everything, that’s how it is. You see now he has all-powerful position at the supporters saying, ‘Look what he did for us.’” helm of the FAI, it’s claimed. Those working closely with the former CEO say his discre- tionary distribution of funds FAI INSIDER ON ALLOCATION OF TICKETS and access to tickets — all of which was completely above “Tickets is where the power lay. When you control board — forged the image cul- tivated over 14 years at the top. tickets, you control football. He would promise them at Delaney has been hailed in recent weeks by various devoted leagues AGMs and then would be good to his word no matter and clubs that have come out to support him, praised for visiting almost 2,000 clubs, taking AGMs how hard tickets would be to come by for anyone else.” outside Dublin, and for sending the likes of bosses Martin O’Neill and Giovanni Trapattoni to meet the people. Those who have worked closely with Delaney reckon that ability to dole out the cash while pressing the flesh around the country earned him the devotion of the grassroots. One highly-placed source told the Irish Sun: “He could go and give out up to €5,000 in grants. He had that limit that didn’t require board approval. “He had a discretionary fund when it came to grants. “It was never in any way dishon- est, but when one person controls everything, that’s how it was. “You see now he has supporters saying ‘look what he did for us’. It was a case of ‘I have the power, I can give out this cash’. He could justify that and not be challenged. “Those who got the grants deserved them, and the money was there to be used for this very purpose. But what was the formula for giving these grants out?” JJOHNNY O H N N Y CCASH A S H Another said: “Everyone wanted him to turn sods and open facili- ties. Once upon a time the Presi- dent or local minister would get lHe’d power to give €5,000 S their name on the plaque, but that PORT IRELAND became John Delaney’s role and everyone loved him for it.” His way with people often worked out well for clubs. grants without board approval MONEY WALK A source said: “He would S Continued from Page One challenge local businesses to match ann his amount, and often they would. ually in grant funds from the t it ha axpayer. However, He was seriously good at that.” s already received an early d per ce rawdown of 50 We asked the FAI about the nt from this year’s allocation. formal application process for club Following the announcement yesterday, F funding — among a detailed list of President Donal Co AI nway said: “It is unfortunat questions — but they declined to that Sport Ireland no e w feel compelled to take this comment. action in the wake of re Delaney also controlled the Insiders shocked by number cent events. l “The Association is distribution of tickets, having access keen to restore trust and confidence and rebui to a large number of ‘comps’ which ld the relationship with Sport Ireland as soon as possible.” he gave out at his discretion with Fine minimal internal criticism. Gael TD Noel Rock, who is on tee, said the commit- A source said: “Tickets were a : “Given the FAI’s lack of full of match tickets he handed out believe it disclosure, I huge thing, often giving away as is appropriate to safeguard money in taxpayers’ many as he liked. John controlled it the short term and bring a and tickets is where the power lay. corporate g bout the overnance changes and financ “When you control tickets, you parency tha ial trans- t are necessary to safegu control football. long-term fut ard the ure of football on this island. “Depending on the match, on “Ireland has had enough of shoddy corp what sales were like . . . he wasn’t governance — it orate stupid, he wouldn’t give out as ’s time to grow up. This is a come and necess wel- much if it was approaching a ary move from Sport Ireland.” Delaney claimed he had spent Louth TD Imelda Munster cal sell-out. l led for the board in Abbotstow “He would promise them at n to go. She said: “It is Sinn that it is ti Fein’s view AGMs and then would be good to Delaney closely me for the board of the FAI to his word no matter how hard CARRY ON controlled ticket stand down.” tickets would be to come by for anyone else. €30,000 of own funds on fans COMPING distribution “Comps, those registered as comps, were always free.” Another senior official told us: “I never got any for anyone, a few Nobody ever really said anything.” don’t know what happened in of the FAI’s decision to put them in someone with a bit of balls, they’d football to seek compensation for a never heard back and hasn’t been when it comes to holding onto mitment to restoration within 18 comps for raffles maybe. Delaney came under fire in 2014 Scotland, it was a huge blunder. It a place Duff compared to Ayia have walked out. They were referee’s error. I regret the damage at an Ireland game since. employees. Part of it may be that months was not honoured. “Any ticket for away games, he when some of the most committed makes no sense as he’d normally Napa or Playa Del Ingles. trapped.” being done by the current saga and While Delaney and the long-serv- people tire of working for an Asso- One former FAI worker said: “The had access to all that. You’d waste Ireland fans were left out in the be all over it.” Delaney was hailed for buying The source added: “Again, nobody I’m deeply saddened by the events.” ing board were poster boys for ciation which often comes under pay was atrocious and the hours your time going looking as he had cold for a game against Scotland in Matters came to a head during booze for fans, and later claimed to said anything at board meetings, Casey was 83 when he discovered strong and stable leadership, below fire. One employee said, if asked by were crazy. You would work it all sewn up.” Glasgow. Euro 2012 in Poland, when Ireland’s have spent over €30,000 of his own but people were angry about the a few months later that his custom- the CEO role things seemed at a taxi driver what they did, they evenings and weekends and there Thousands of tickets have been The soccer boss later admitted he team hotel became a manic money on fans during his tenure. s***show in Sopot.” ary VIP seats had been taken off times in an almost constant state of would make something up rather was never a suggestion you given out for free to clubs and “made a balls” of the Celtic focal point for every fan who The FAI declined to comment on In 2015, former FAI President and him for the Euro 2016 qualifier flux. than admit they were with the FAI. would get time in lieu. others, including for last Park ticket arrangements fancied a look. whether its credit cards were also honorary secretary Des Casey was between Ireland and Germany in Many senior figures have jumped One source who has had regular “When the recession hit peo- October’s dead rubber that left the Green Army Delaney partied in Sopot, drink- used. But Sopot became a circus. left wondering whether some public the Aviva Stadium. ship — including Operations dealings with the FAI said: “You ple started to leave and nobody Nations League clash with just 3,000, which ing with fans, some of whom car- The source said: “In Sopot, things remarks played any part in his VIP Instead, he would have to make Director Peter Sherrard to the build up a relationship with someone was getting replaced. There against Wales at the forced him to buy corpo- ried him back to the hotel one got very messy with the fans. tickets being withdrawn. his way up the steps to the Upper Olympic Council of Ireland, Siob- and, all of a sudden, they’re gone. were pay cuts and pay freezes Aviva. rate tickets to sell on at a night with his shoes and socks off. “The behaviour in general was The 30-year servant of the FAI East Stand — all but impossible for han Keane to Shamrock Rovers, “The majority of the people within but you were being given The source said: “Giving loss. In a video posted online, the soz- unacceptable, all the f***ing around. had been retired for 12 years when an elderly man with mobility issues. Richard Fahy to Tennis Ireland, the FAI I have worked with have added responsibilities. them out for free does An FAI source said: “If zled soccer boss tells fans at one “The tickets became a pantomime. in June 2015 he spoke out against While Mr Casey declined to com- ex-commercial executive Clodagh been very good but the question is “Because it is an organisa- devalue them when it you get involved as the point: “Thanks you for your support The players’ hotel was a meeting the €5million Thierry Henry ‘Hand ment, a source close to him said: Brennan to the Women’s Tennis why they can’t hold onto them.” tion with so many volunteers comes to selling the rest fans’ best friend they’ll for our country, our country, our point for every Tom, Dick and of Frog’ payment from Fifa, made “His VIP tickets were withdrawn Association and Aisling Delaney to Pay has been an issue. This was on the football side, there was of them, in my opinion. turn on you when you team. You’re absolutely f***ing bril- Harry. Hundreds were coming in to in secret after the Frenchman’s and despite his queries as to why, Pro14. particularly the case during the the attitude that you should be Giving thousands out for can’t deliver. liant” — before the crowd went nuts. gather around and collect tickets. 2009 handball ended Ireland’s 2010 the tickets were never replaced.” While all large companies have recession with some hit by salary happy to do your job for free free devalues the ticket. “You don’t have to be Players including Damien Duff Players couldn’t come downstairs. World Cup hopes. He wrote twice to the FAI high staff turnover, the FAI does reductions of five per cent in 2011 because there were others who in their pockets. I and Kevin Doyle were later critical “If Roy Keane was there, or He said: “It’s unprecedented in requesting his old tickets back, but seem to have a particular problem and ten per cent in 2012. A com- would.” Head to head . . Sopot of bother . . Duff Delaney and ex- Ireland boss Trap 8 ...... Sunday, April 14, 2019 1RM 1RM Sunday, April 14, 2019 ...... 9 THE JOHN GOODBYE LEDLED THETHE WAYWAY ININ COVERAGECOVERAGE OFOF TURMOILTURMOIL ATAT FAIFAI

By NEIL COTTER and CRAIG FARRELL JOHN Delaney and the board of the FAI stand on the brink following a tumultuous week in Irish sport. The delegation sent by the Association to the Oireachtas Sports Committee hearings on Tuesday sparked fury with an “evasive, vague, non-committal and ambiguous” performance which was slammed as two fingers to the Irish soccer public. Since then, the Leinster Senior League and PFAI have had their say amid widespread calls for heads to roll. Just a few short months ago, it was all so How we different as Delaney seemed secure in his position as CEO with eyes on Euro 2020 and beyond. Here we describe how it all began falling apart. NOVEMBER 23, 2018: The sacking of Martin O’Neill and yet another hefty managerial pay-off came in the wake of fans’ criticism of John Delaney. It smacked of a deflection exercise, so the Irish Sun contacted committee member Catherine Murphy TD and dis- cussed a way to once and for all end the secrecy. Delaney said of it: “I’ve no interest in a sideshow or anyone looking for publicity.” NOVEMBER 24: Almost 17,000 fans signed a petition calling on Delaney to quit his role following the 23/11/18 14/01/19 departures of O’Neill and his assistant Roy Keane.

10 ...... Wednesday, March 20, 2019 1RM Saturday, March 23, 2019 1RM DECEMBER 8: At a meeting with a small number of 10 ...... TOWELS ARE IN LOST AND select fans, Delaney admits making mistakes but told By CARRI-ANN TAYLOR THE CLAWS-ET HOUND THIS mischievous collie ’KEEPIN’ UP APPEARANCES creates a pedigree of them: “If you really want to, you go and protest uncertainty by blending Where’s Collie? in with a shop’s display Fit . . Seamus of toy pups. Coleman & But the hidden hound revealed Matt Doherty is not the only pet who away. I’m still going to be where I am.” Fatal crash . . . Jillian is a master of disguise. Tributes . . . Jimmy Several snaps of furry friends channelling SOFT SPOT DECEMBER 21 Where’s Wally? have : We reveal how Delaney would be Collision been sweeping the net. PURRNISHINGS THE DOG Carter is One cat reveals a dry sense of humour by pre- accused tending to be a towel. longest invited to face questions on footie governance in Jan- While a fellow feline takes cover on an ani- ‘playing mal-print chair. A pebble beach makes living US uary. He would reschedule twice before appearing. a Dalmatian difficult to sea while a pooch pal chicken’ Talking tactics . . Keane, right, and striker Shane Long Leader of the pack . . . Harry Arter sprinting ahead throws itself into a Prez ever spotty bedding disguise. JANUARY 14, 2019: We then reveal how Delaney reg- By RICHARD McCULLEN By MICHAEL DOYLE THE driver of a car BILL Clinton paid tribute involved in a fatal crash to Jimmy Carter after he on the N2 appeared to be became the oldest living ularly applied for early access to Sport Ireland fund- playing chicken with President in US history. other vehicles shortly As of yesterday, the before the collision, a INSIDERS’INSIDERS’ WATCHDOG COMPLAINTS 39th commander-in-chief court heard yesterday. is 94 years and 173 days Garda Tomas Leonard old — surpassing the late ing that hadn’t been approved yet. was giving evidence in George H.W. Bush, who the trial of 44-year-old died in November at 94 Michael Collins, of St years and 171 days old. Finian’s Park in Clinton tweeted: “May JANUARY 17 Drogheda, Co Louth. : An initial date of February 20 is your new title and good He has pleaded not guilty at Trim Circuit deeds continue for many Court to a charge of years to come.” dangerous driving caus- Carter Centre spokes- announced for the Oireachtas committee to grill John ing the death of Jillian woman Deanna Congileo Thornton on May 27, said: “We are grateful for 2016, at Waterside Great, his long life of service Duleek, Co Meath. that has benefitted mil- The accused man has lions of the world’s poor- Delaney and the FAI on governance. est people.” also pleaded not guilty to two charges of endanger- WHISTLERS Democrat Carter was ment, 12 charges of dan- Georgia’s 76th governor gerous driving and a before winning the presi- JANUARY 28: We reveal how John Delaney told Sport charge of driving under dency in 1976. After his the influence of an intoxi- RISING star Gavin Bazunu gets put presidency, he was dubbed cant on the same date. Bridging loan . . . Delaney the “active ex-president”, through his paces by goalkeeping received a Nobel Prize in Ms Thorton’s body was coach Dan Connor at Ireland found after a crash occ- EXCLUSIVE by CRAIG FARRELL 2002 and cemented the Ireland the FAI “would not be supportive” of plans to urred between Ashbourne U21s football training yesterday. title with his continued and Balrath following a The Man City keeper worked A TRIO of whistleblow- participation in Habitat 25-minute Garda pursuit out at the FAI National Training ers have now contacted for Humanity through the of a dark-coloured Mitsu- Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin, Carter Work Project. introduce a gender quota to its board. bishi Colt through as gaffer Mick McCarthy, right, Oireachtas sports com- Drogheda and east Meath. and assistant Robbie Keane mittee members mak- Garda Leonard said he watched on ahead of their BLOW was in a patrol car and Mosque trip to Gibraltar on Saturday. ing various allegations FEBRUARY 17 saw the Colt drive to- Mick said: “It’s up to me about FAI governance. : Just days before it is due to take wards other cars three or to get positive results and Last weekend, members four times before swerv- have people smiling again.” tot buried ing at the last minute. of the Joint Committee on He said he was first to Transport, Tourism and arrive at the scene of the THE youngest victim of place, Delaney postponed his appearance before an Sport received corre- the Christchurch double fatal crash between the Colt and a VW Passat. spondence from a whistle- mosque terror attack was He rejected a claim by blower making allegations buried yesterday along the defendant the crash about the organisation. with 25 others. Oireachtas committee until April. was caused by a garda That number has since tri- A week after twisted car ramming the Colt. pled, with two more people racist Brenton Tarrant, Garda Robert Smith DELANEY FACES NEW QUIZ having come forward with FOR 28, shot dead 50 worship- DELANEY FACES NEW QUIZ pers and injured another told prosecuting counsel information to the committee. Carl Hanahoe BL that 50, thousands of mourn- MARCH 17 The Office of Director of ers gathered for the som- : Delaney tries to injunct a Sunday Times when he arrived at the Corporate Enforcement has bre ceremony. scene, Collins was trying declined to comment on to get out of the driver’s Muccaid Ibrahim, three, whether it has been directly was shot and killed at window of the crashed approached this week in rela- Colt and gave a false the Al Noor mosque in story about a €100,000 cheque he wrote his employ- tion to the FAI. Christchurch as he name when asked to We can also reveal the prayed with his father in identify himself. Department of Sport has con- The garda said a a 16 minute bloodbath. firmed funding allocation is a His body was wrapped woman in the Passat told matter for Sport Ireland — ers in April 2017. The paper publishes the story on St the rot him there had been Allocation in a white shroud and another passenger in the after our exclusive story carried in an open coffin showed Minister Shane Ross FAI by members of his back seat. He later found of funding the victim in a ditch. MORE QUESTIONS got involved with the process. Somali-origin family to The trial continues. The Irish Sun revealed on the grave at the city’s Patrick’s Day and all hell breaks loose. Insisting it Thursday how Ross wrote to is a matter Memorial Park cemetery. the state agency in favour of a previously rejected €195,000 for Sport Non-EU FAI grant for female athletes was a “bridging loan”, Delaney says he “acted in the after a meeting with John Ireland Nigella’s Delaney in 2017. His spokesperson told us: data bid “From time to time, the min- snap app isters provide guidance to best interests” of the FAI. THE European Parliament OVER FAI’S FUNDS Sport Ireland in line with NIGELLA Lawson has Government policies for the has agreed new measures By ADAM HIGGINS, CRAIG ation of Ireland seeking urgent sought urgent clarification and ‘FOUL’ launched a new food to find criminal convic- SPORT Ireland last night promotion of Irish sport, for FARRELL and BARRY MORAN clarification from the Board of explanation from the Board of photography app. tions of non-EU citizens. called on FAI boss John the FAI on media reports con- the FAI. Until such time as a instance the promotion of More than 2,500 people MARCH 18 A new database will women’s sport.” : We reveal how the FAI was alone in seek- next month over his controver- cerning a loan to the organisa- response has been received and have joined Foodim since Delaney to explain why We contacted the depart- make crucial information sial “bridging loan”. tion by its Chief Executive, considered, Sport Ireland will Trio contact sports committee its unveiling on Thursday. available to 27 member he gave a €100,000 including the circumstances of not be taking any action.” ment on Friday to ask The TV chef said cam- states, including data on Delaney, who pockets whether the minister personal loan to the €360,000 a year, attempted to the loan and its repayment. Earlier this year, the Irish era filters available on people with two passports. “Sport Ireland was not noti- Sun revealed that the FAI has informed other sporting bod- sites such as Instagram ing early drawdown from Sport Ireland. An FAI state- MEP for Ireland South, get an injunction against The ies that more money was sport.” The FAI has come aney at least €50,000. Yester- overshadowed Ireland’s prepa- Irish footie association. fied at any stage in 2017 about applied for early access to “do food no favours”. Sean Kelly, believes the Sunday Times to stop it report- under fire after it emerged its day we revealed the FAI rations for their opening The State funding body ing on a story that revealed he any apparent material deterio- Sport Ireland State funding available for women in sport Foodim users can write measures are more vital projects. chief executive John Delaney repaid Delaney’s “bridging group game of their Euro for sport has written to the wrote a personal cheque to the ration in the FAI’s financial that had not yet been approved. wrote a personal cheque to loan” of €100,000 the day 2020 qualifying campaign. The notes and recipes and than ever to fight global position, as per Sport Ireland’s The FAI is due to be quizzed A spokesperson said: “The post and edit pictures. crime and terrorism. under-fire chief after FAI in 2017 for €100,000. the association in April 2017 after it was granted its annual Boys in Green are in Gibral- ment on the cheque reads: “The board has been kept Sport Ireland, who provide Terms and Conditions of Grant by the Oireachtas Sports Com- allocation of that funding is a Nigella, 59, announced Mr Kelly said: “The reports this week revealed matter for Sport Ireland. for €100,000, a payment he Sport Ireland funding. tar to take on the low-rank- horrible attacks in New millions in funding to the FAI, Approval, and has sought mittee on April 10. A spokes- claimed was a fully-paid-back And on the same day the ing outfit today in manager the new iPhone app on he used his own finances claim they were never additional clarification in rela- man last night said: “The FAI “The detailed terms and her Instagram site, where Zealand over the week- to help with an FAI conditions for sports funding “bridging loan”. six-figure sum was returned Mick McCarthy’s first game informed about any financial tion to this matter.” has this evening received cor- Delaney failed in a High she regularly posts food end (have shown) how cash-flow problem. When asked if John Delaney’s respondence from Sport Ireland programmes would be a mat- to Delaney, he also contacted back in charge, with the fully informed in relation to this matter at all times.” vulnerable we all are. issues at the Association. Court bid to get an injunction the state agency to request a Green Army travelling snaps to 1.6million fans. The embattled actions will change the FAI’s CEO John Treacy . . . The Asso- ter for Sport Ireland, who “We were not happy In a statement issued last against The Sunday Times further drawdown of state in their droves She said: “Nearly every Chief Executive is night, Sport Ireland said: “Sport grant status this year, a Sport ciation are preparing a reply to would also be responsible for photograph I take is of with the lack of sharing communication with the nat- reporting the story — a move funding. despite only being information regarding set to be grilled by Ireland has written to the Pres- Ireland spokesman told the Mr Treacy and will respond at food. It has alway been a Dail committee Irish Sun: “Sport Ireland has the earliest opportunity.” ional governing bodies of estimated to have cost Del- Off-the-field issues have allocated 800 tickets. Wrote to state agency . . . Ross MARCH 23 people with dual nation- ident of the Football Associ- vexing to me that there : On the night Ireland beat Gibraltar 1-0, Under pressure . . Delaney is no dedicated food pho- alities who might have Delaney quits as CEO — stepping aside to take up 18/03/19 criminal records.” 20/03/19 23/03/19 tography app.” the newly-created Executive VP role. FAI say restruc- turing followed a recommendation from a report car- ried out to by Jonathan Hall Associates to review JUST €1.10 BOY,, 3 IS CRITICAL senior management structures. AFTER HIT AND RUN MARCH 24: The Sunday Times reveals the FAI paid By ANN MOONEY A THREE-year-old boy was rushed to hospital yesterday afternoon with serious head injuries after being hit by a car that failed to stop. The toddler is understood to have been chasing Delaney’s €3,000-a-month rent when he was living in a ball on to the road when he was struck. As he lay seriously injured outside his home at Castle Meadows, just off Skehard Road in Cork Sunday, €1.20 Scene . . . in Cork Turn to Page Six March 24, (£1.20 NI) Grainne Seoige’s Kilmacanogue pad. Tuesday, March 26, 2019 BEST VALUE IN IRELAND €1.10 (55p NI) www.thesun.ie 2019 thesun.ie FREE INSIDE MARCH 25: We show you inside Delaney’s swanky new Wicklow home — complete with tennis court. that set 38 tragic SHOWBIZ DELANEYDELANEY EXCLUSIVE MEL B: EXCLUSIVE Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says FAI “obviously” has TV deaths financial questions to answer. My secret MARCH 26: We reveal Delaney secured committee THE member Kevin O’Keeffe two World Cup final tickets sex with HARSH which the TD paid for. Staff at the FAI call for an Spice Geri REALITY John sorted explanation why Delaney’s rent was paid by the SEE PAGES 6&7 Association while they endured crippling pay cuts. SEE PAGE 23 STAR’S SHOCK CONFESSION MARCH 27: Fans throw tennis balls onto the pitch in FAI IN TURMOIL AS CHIEF QUITS protest as Ireland beat Georgia 1-0. MARCH 28 J-LO’S World Cup : We reveal how the FAI were back again FELLA looking for early Sport Ireland funding in 2019 and By NEIL COTTER and ADAM HIGGINS JOHN Delaney secured two tickets to SHOWED the 2018 World Cup Final for one of the TDs due to grill him at next month’s also how the board are split on whether to allow Dail Sport Committee, we can reveal. Kevin O’Keeffe paid the full €1,806 ME HIS price for two passes sourced by Delaney. Asked if it might be an issue ahead of the hearings, he told the Irish Delaney stay on until after the 2020 Euros. DELANEY’S Sun: “I don’t know A-ROD what the problem is. The FAI got us the SEE tickets but, at the MARCH 29: Our revelations that model Nadia Forde end of the day, we’d PAGE to pay our own way.” 23 Full Story — P4&5 Final for Tix . . John, left, & Kev was paid to dance with Delaney at a charity event in

2013 drags the John Giles Foundation and Irish Street Bail to the chief . . . Delaney on the move as Jeff IRELAND Hendrick, inset, v GEORGIA Leagues into the mess. SHOCK OF bags goal 7.45pm

MARCH 30: FAI board confirm consultancy firm Maz- By CRAIG FARRELL in under JOHN Delaney stepped down as CEO of the FAI after Ireland ground out a dismal 1-0 win ars will carry out an independent probe of accounts. away to minnows Gibraltar. Delaney, 51, will become exec- utive vice president but may see his €360,000 salary MARCH 31 hacked by two-thirds. Dail quiz TD : We reveal how Delaney wanted to get Delaney said: “I’ve always given my best LET’S MAKE GIBRALTAR for Irish foot- cheap labour from the scrapped JobBridge scheme to ball and I’ll con- tinue that in this role.” A RACKET FF’s O’KEEFFE PAID €1,806 FOR TICKETS He steps down and pay slashed by €240k Full Story — Pages 4&5 help run the football organisation. SEE SUNSPORT APRIL 3: Sport Ireland boss John Treacy refuses to 24/03/19 26/03/19 28/03/19 express confidence in the FAI Board at a committee hearing, and warns State funding may be cut if the FAI can’t explain the loan. APRIL 8: FAI President Donal Conway says: “We also advised that some recent comments made by the FAI did not accurately reflect the board’s level of aware- Protest away. ness of the existence of the €100,000 issue in 2017.” Ex-CEO Fran Rooney demands independent probe. FAI announced they have hired accountancy firm I’m still going Grant Thornton to go through its accounts and they have been at on site at HQ since April 2. to be where APRIL 9: Sport Ireland suspends the 50 per cent of the funding not already drawn down. ex-CEO I am APRIL 10: We reveal more about Delaney’s — DELANEY IN 2018 power, including his ability to hand out grants of up to €5,000 to clubs without hav- ing to obtain board approval and his control of the distribution of comp tickets. The FAI’s appearance at the committee is condemned as a sham as pressure mounts. Chairman Fergus O’Dowd calls for resignations. APRIL 12: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar wades into the controversy over John Delaney’s Oireachtas appearance, declaring: “I don’t think anyone would be satisfied by it.” Sinn Fein TD Jonathan O’Brien, who grilled the FAI at the committee meeting, is removed from a League of Ireland game following the unfurling Hearing. . . of an anti-John Delaney banner. Delaney Treacy 29/03/19 10/04/19 JUST €1.10

WOODS YOU BELIEVE IT! TIGER’S MASTERS TRIUMPH — SEE SUNSPORT Monday, April 15, 2019 BEST VALUE IN IRELAND €1.10 (55p NI) www.thesun.ie

Blasted . . bagman Lee M i r a c l e B o y l a n t o o k t e n SEATS STRUGGLE EXCLUSIVE b u l l e t s TAXI FOR DELANEY Future of ex-CEO is being finalised

EXCLUSIVE by JOHN HAND GANGLAND target Lee Boylan had ten bullets removed from his body after a hit attempt in Dublin last month. The dad-of-one, 24, who has links to Kinahan drug dealer Mr Flashy, was blasted as he sat in a van in west Dublin. Full Story — Page Five

LIVERPOOL...... 2 CHELSEA...... 0 SQUEAKY Mo the merrier C.PALACE...... 1 MAN CITY...... 3

BUMBy CRAIG FARRELL andTIME NEIL COTTER THE FAI gifted 8,000 tickets to our Euros clash with Georgia and 29,000 Nations 1,000s of free League freebies in a bid to fill the Aviva. Board decision A source said: “The instruction was to get rid of as many tickets as possible.” Sterling Our revelation comes as Kerry District League chief John O’Regan told us John Delaney’s FAI future will be decided today. effort Ireland tickets Full Story — Pages Six and Seven on John ‘today’ SEE SUNSPORT AND GOALS 6 ...... Monday, April 15, 2019 1RM 1RM Monday, April 15, 2019 ...... 7 DELANEY ON BRINK HOWHOW THOUSANDSTHOUSANDS OFOF MATCHMATCH TTICKETSICKETS WEREWERE GIVENGIVEN AWAYAWAY

EXCLUSIVE by CRAIG FARRELL and NEIL COTTER THE full extent of the FAI’s inability to fill the Aviva Hey big Stadium is today laid bare spender . . . — with thousands of free Delaney 8,000+ tickets handed out. 9,000+ 12,000+ The Irish Sun has learned that more than 8,000 complimentary tickets were given out for last month’s European Championships G o t a t e xt . . . p al O’R eg an qualifier with Georgia. This means that despite the surge of optimism marking Mick His future McCarthy’s first competitive home game in charge, one fifth of the 40,317 crowd did not pay to attend the 1-0 win in Dublin. resolved It followed a depressing recent trend where the Association has struggled to get bums on seats. A source told us: “Around 5,000 by suits in for every game goes to staff, sponsors, Uefa, etc. The rest just got given away to whoever. The FAI today instruction was to get rid of as many tickets as possible.” And the Nations League cam- NORTHERN IRELAND – 15.11.18 GEORGIA – 26.03.19 WALES – 16.10.18 By CRAIG F ARRELL paign under the management of Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane was U N DE R- f i re Jo h n D e l a n ey ’s a disaster, ticket figures reveal. f u t u re i s to b e d e c i d e d by More than 12,000 free passes t h e FA I b o a rd to d ay, were handed out for the 1-0 defeat a c c o rd i n g to a c l o s e p a l . to Wales on October 16, 2018 out of T h e FA I l a s t n i g h t an official attendance of 38,321. confirmed that embat tled And three days earlier, just 8,000 exec s w i l l m e e t to d ay to supporters out of 42,000 in the sta- rev i e w t h e “ m a ny u r gen t dium specifically paid for tickets to s te p s ” t h ey a re t a k i n g to our 0-0 clash with Denmark. a d d re s s t h e c o r p o ra te More than 17,000 were given out gove r n a n c e a n d f i n a n c e for free, with the rest made up of 17,000+ 4,000+ 3,000+ season tickets, Club Ireland mem- i s s u e s i n Ir i s h fo ot b a l l . bers and away fans. Ker r y D i s t r i c t Lea g u e In excess of 9,000 comps were S e c re t a r y Jo h n O’Regan , 85% comps handed out for the dour 0-0 lStruggle to sell w h o h a s b e e n a l o n g-te r m friendly draw between Ireland and b a c ker of D e l a n ey, s a i d h e Northern Ireland on November 15. wa s to l d by t h e E xec u t i ve The official attendance was 31,000. V i c e P re s i d e n t o n S a t u rd ay A well-placed source said: “It just t h a t h e h a d te n d e re d h i s goes to show how bad it is. These re s i g n a t i o n to to p b ra s s . tickets are being given away, and seats at the Aviva M r O’Regan s a i d : “ F i r s t while the aim is to make the o f all he sent me a te xt to ground look fuller, it’s a terrible l e t m e k n o w t h a t h e wa s way to approach things.” s t a n d i n g d o w n f ro m h i s ‘I see someone who’s p o s i t i o n i n t h e FA I , b u t t h a t h e wo u l d b e c o n t i n - become to powerful’ u i n g o n i n Ue f a . The FAI has also been handing lEamo: Chief was “ L a te r o n i n t h e d ay out plenty of freebies for U-21 t h e n h e s e n t m e a n ot h e r fixtures — 4,000 for the recent clash tex t s t a t i n g t h a t h e h a d n’t with Luxembourg on March 24 at g one y et — but that he Tallaght Stadium. had tendered his resigna- And 85 per cent of the 3,501 who DENMARK – 13.10.18 U21s v LUXEMBOURG – 24.03.19 NETHERLANDS – 10.04.18 t i o n to t h e b o a rd a n d t h a t attended the Ireland women’s game ‘heading for a fall’ t h ey we re c o n s i d e r i n g i t with Slovakia on April 6, 2018 and on M onda y . ” the 4,047 for their match with the M r O’Regan a d d e d t h a t Netherlands four days later were w h e n h e wa s t a l k i n g to comps but the FAI is working hard to promote those games. D e l a n ey i t s o u n d e d l i ke h e The Irish Sun last week revealed w as relie v ed to be on the that embattled former CEO John c u s p of m ov i n g o n . Delaney had access to as many He s a i d : “ He s o u n d e d a comps as he needed, which could b i t d o w n b e a t b u t I h a d be distributed at his discretion. b e e n s p e a k i n g to h i m Meanwhile, tough-talking pundit b e fo re t h a t d u r i n g t h e Eamon Dunphy has insisted that we e k a n d h e wa s ve r y the new Executive Vice President d o w n b e a t . I t h i n k m ay b e has become too powerful. h e wa s a l i t t l e re l i eve d , The controversial former RTE t h e re wa s a l i t t l e b i t of analyst said yesterday: “What I do relief in his v oice. see is someone who has become far too powerful . . . and who has been “ I t ’s u p to t h e b o a rd heading for a fall.” w h a t h a p p e n s n ex t . He h a s Outspoken Dubliner Dunphy, 73, o ffered his resignation. said the “big mistake” Delaney “An d I t h i n k h e i s made was trying to injunct the j u s t wa i t i n g , a n d I s ay Sunday Times story about him h e i s l o o k i n g fo r - loaning the FAI €100,000 in 2017. wa rd to t h e d e c i - Dunphy claimed “he overreacted”, sion on M onda y . ” adding: “He went for an injunction and failed. And I think that was his first mistake. “And a number of other mistakes have followed on to leave Delaney legal reasons. The Professional in the Supreme Court . . . which looked very bad.” Delaney was extravagant behaviour. And when ernance. Minister Ross told RTE’s are not answered we will take the a pr e vi o usl y -r ej ect ed €1 95, 000 gr ant statement to say that they have now a very discredited figure Footballers’FAI Association of Ireland is to find out in the FREE public legally entitled not to answer the you add that to what we saw on FORThis Week programme: “I am very necessary action.” t o t h e FAIALL a ft er a m eet ing wi t h noted Ross and O’Dowd’s comments. in the eyes of the football commu- has said it was a “new low” for interest what people in power and Committee members’ questions. Wednesday and the dismissive atti- deeply concerned about what hap- He added: “We will rule out any Delan ey . It claimed they are working nity, in particular.” football in this country. people receiving Government More criticism was heaped on tude towards the public and indeed pened last week and what’s been body which isn’t in good stead in Th e ad di t i o nal six -fi gur e s um w as with Sport Ireland in relation Despite his criticism, Dunphy had And the Leinster Senior League, money are doing. Delaney yesterday after the Sunday public representatives, then the FAI happening in recent weeks. corporate governance from getting t h en pai d t o t h e FAI in 2 0 1 8. to a number of matters and some praise for the former Associ- the largest adult football league in “And this exercise on Wednesday Times reported that he had racked has a problem. “And our concerns are that the large capital sports grants.” M ean w hil e, Co mmi t t ee c hair an d also promised to respond to ation CEO, saying he had done a the land, petitioned its members really shocked people because of up almost €40,000 on an FAI credit “It will have a problem with its corporate governance of the FAI is He also said that he would hold F in e Gael TD Fer gus O ’Do w d y es- queries from the Committee lot of good for the game here and on whether Delaney and the the attitude of the witnesses — card in a six-month period in 2016. sponsors and needs to do some- obviously not satisfactory. And we his judgment of the FAI board until t er da y r ei t er a t ed hi s call f o r a by close of business today. his presence on the Uefa committee board should be removed. the FAI. The FAI would not clarify thing and it needs to really make have got to get questions answered after Sport Ireland has completed f o r ensi c a u di t o f t h e FAI acco unt s. They said: “The Associ- was of great help to Ireland. Airing his thoughts on “I think people don’t like to whether Delaney reimbursed the changes and needs to do it quick.” on that basis. We are looking for its report on the issue. H e sai d: “I w ant t o see f o r ensi c ation continues to work to He told RTE: “When, or if he is the Dail showing, Dun- see someone with his power, Association any of the charges or Meanwhile, it’s also emerged that those questions and we expect Minister Ross is set to join Sport a u di t s o f all t h e acco unt ing act i vi - restore the trust of its lost to soccer, it will be damaging. phy said: “It was troub- profile. And, indeed, he says whether he was required to pro- the FAI could be set to lose access them in the next week or two. Ireland before an Oireachtas Com- t i es o f t h e FAI. stakeholders, including the It will damage Irish soccer. He ling in many ways, not he cares about grassroots in duce receipts for his expenditure. to more State funds after Sports “The FAI hasn’t answered the mittee meeting tomorrow. “An d I beli e v e t ha t t h e Mini st er Minister and Sport Ireland, won’t be easily replaced.” least the lack of power soccer, the people that follow And commenting on the report, Minister Shane Ross yesterday questions which are necessary. They During a Committee meeting in an d S po rt I r elan d s h o ul d insi st o n as soon as possible. The FAI has faced severe public the committee had.” in soccer — not providing Dunphy also said: “It shows what’s threatened to ban the body from haven’t answered the question on early 2017, he agreed with Deputy t ha t. ” “The FAI wants to criticism following their tactics at He added: “The those people with an account going on behind the rhetoric and receiving sport capital grants. corporate governance, and we have Catherine Murphy that there were H e also r e v eal ed t ha t t h e Co m- ensure that all those who last week’s Dail watchdog. (Angela) Kerins judgment of how he and the Associ- the so called goodwill and the He said they could be cut off to look at how they are actually governance issues the FAI needed mi t t ee has y et t o r ecei v e an y inf o r- play football across Ire- Delaney refused to answer the ation have behaved, and phrase, ‘the football family’, that from applying for the capital grant running the sport body. to address. ma t i o n fr o m t h e f ootballing body land do not suffer as a Oireachtas Sport Committee’s ques- Grants are at risk . . . Ross doing so in a very, very they have invented. scheme if they fail to address the “It seems to me that those ques- However, despite this admission, si n c e l a s t wee k ’s he a r i n g. result of the actions of The chuckle brothers . . . tions about the €100,000 loan for dismissive way . . . it “Behind all of that you see quite issues surrounding corporate gov- tions must be answered and if they he asked Sport Ireland to approve Last ni g ht, t h e FAI r el eased a the Association.” Delaney & Dunphy in ’14 8 ...... Thursday, April 18, 2019 1RM 1RM Thursday, April 18, 2019 ...... 9 OODDCCEE PPRROOBBEE OOFF FFAAII FFIINNAANNCCEESS MMOORREE SSEERRIIOOUUSS TTHHAANN JJDD LLOOAANN

EXCLUSIVE by NEIL COTTER and PAPER TRAIL ADAM HIGGINS A COMPLAINT filed by the FAI’s auditors does not relate to John Delaney’s €100,000 cheque, the Irish Sun has learned. The H4 document filed by Deloitte to the Companies Regis- tration Office this week instead involves concerns over newer developments in 2018 or 2019. It means the FAI may face Garda and financial regulator probes for failing to rectify their accounts within a seven-day notice period. We have also learned the matters of interests do not involve sums promised to a football club. At the Oireachtas committee hearings last week Noel Rock TD asked association President Donal REALITY CHEQUE Conway whether Dundalk FC were the creditors for whom John Del- aney wrote a “bridging loan” cheque in April 2017. Board may be The FAI declined to comment on the identity of the creditor. A well-placed source told the Irish Sun: “The auditors have raised something new with the FAI, and something potentially big. facing garda Document filed by Deloitte to the CRO There could be something bigger than a €100,000 cheque. “It is not about liabilities to a football club. The spend within football is all legitimate. It is about the current or previous accounting period (2018/19), and this failure and watchdog DELANEY’S could amount to a prosecution on indictment or summary prosecution. “The worst may be yet to come.” It’s understood the Delaney cheque — which was repaid in June ‘NOT PART 2017 — was not a current concern from an accounting perspective, so investigations that’s not what could give rise to an offence in this instance. I don’t know of any national, or sorry, OF THE FAI’ The Deloitte H4 document lodged 6 with CRO states the FAI has world body that has been damaged so contravened two sections of the By ADAM HIGGINS Companies Act 2014. much and over a continuous period of It reported the football body on EMBATTLED Irish footie boss John Delaney is April 12, insisting the FAI has not time and what’s to come next?7 “not part of the FAI any more” — that is kept proper accounts. according to the head of Ireland’s governing Once the H4 is sent to the CRO, DELANEY SLAMS THEN FIFA body for sport. a notice is usually given to the Ex-CEO Delaney offered to step aside Office of the Director of Corporate CHIEF BLATTER IN 2015 this week pending the completion of Enforcement. Deloitte must now investigations into the FAI’s accounts follow- furnish the ODCE with the relevant documents which triggered their ing revelations of irregular financial concerns if asked to do so. practices at the association. A source explained: “The H4 is On Tuesday, Minister for Sport Shane Ross filed when you become aware a told how the entire board of directors at the company isn’t keeping proper FAI plan to resign from their roles in the records. You must have direct evi- coming months to allow for major dence, it can’t be through media restructuring. reports. Under company law an Sport Ireland CEO John Treacy claimed auditor is required to report to the ODCE any breach of certain Delaney is no longer part of the FAI despite sections of company law and any a statement this week claiming he was step- persons found guilty of these ping aside pending the results of indepen- breaches can be prosecuted for a dent investigations by auditors. summary or indictable offence. Speaking at the publication of Sport “If during the course of an audit Ireland’s Anti-Doping Review for 2018, CEO an auditor became aware of this Treacy said: “John Delaney has voluntarily then they’d have to ask the FAI to rectify this, and give them seven stepped aside. days to do so. “I can’t really comment on that because “If they don’t, they lodge a H4 that’s a contractual piece with the FAI. with the CRO. That’s what “But from what I gather, John Delaney isn’t happened here. part of the FAI anymore, and, he’s on gar- “They have given the FAI seven dening leave or whatever the description is. days to rectify the issue and the “We have people within the FAI who we’re FAI haven’t done it.” working with and we will continue to work Renowned corporate governance with them and see some reforms imple- expert, Professor Niamh Brennan, insists the H4 filing is hugely sig- mented over the next couple of months.” nificant. She told RTE: “In terms of 6They’ve damaged themselves further. I The Sport Ireland chief went on to say that the seriousness as far as a director Delaney is no longer involved in operations is concerned, it does not get more think John Delaney, by his failure to at the FAI’s headquarters on the National serious than that.” Sport Campus in Dublin. The ODCE came under fire for answer what are legitimate questions, The former Olympic distance runner also its handling of the Anglo Irish did himself more damage than good.7 said the FAI should appoint independent Bank/Seanie Fitzpatrick probe, boss EMBATTLED members to their new board of directors in Ian Drennan admitting in February order to “make the right decisions for the the “wheels came off”. A source EX-RoI BOSS BRIAN KERR FAI President Conway added: “The ODCE have egg on and former CEO Delaney right reasons”. their face after Anglo so need to RAPS DELANEY IN 2019 He said: “The culture will take longer and come out and show this is being we realise that but it’s making sure that you done right. Evidence has to be bring in the expertise that’s required and I taken quickly and effectively. They would strongly advise, and I know the gov- can’t be slow.” tices within the FAI. The 2015 video from Fifa events. Speaking at the image is so tarnished. How can he aney how badly Fifa has been dam- images of six or seven of your Tube in 2015 by the sport channel There have been no findings of ernance piece is only starting, but you need Meanwhile, it has emerged for- contains an interview with Del- time about Blatter, Delaney said: be treated credibly as the leader of aged in the previous few days senior executives being lifted out of Hayters TV and currently has just wrongdoing against Delaney in independent people. mer Ireland footie boss Delaney aney ahead of the 65th FIFA “The scenes over the last couple of Fifa to bring in changes when he following a series of arrests of top their bedroom at six in the morn- over 1,000 views. relation to any of the matters “I know from my experience of dealing once called for Fifa President Congress in Zurich where days are like out of a mafia movie has such an incredibly bad image executives on suspicion of taking ing and taken away in police vans By comparison, just last week, raised. This week he stepped aside Sepp Blatter to step down with a lot of governing bodies in sport where he calls on Sepp Blatter to if it wasn’t such a serious thing and all around the world?” bribes. to be extradited to America. former Republic of Ireland manager from his role in the FAI they have independent people they add because “his own personal resign and urges people to he’s spoke very clearly about those. The interviewer then asks Del- He said: “Dreadfully. I mean the “I don’t know of any national, Brian Kerr said of the FAI Board: pending the completion of image is so tarnished” he vote for Prince Ali Bin “I’ve read his manifesto. I’ve met sorry, world body that has been “They have damaged themselves an independent report huge value. Huge value. could not be treated credi- al-Hussein. him in London a month or two ago damaged so much and over a con- further. I think John Delaney, by into issues of concern “You have to have people that know bly as a leader. Fifa President Blatter had and he spoke about the changes he tinuous period of time . . . and what’s his failure to answer what are of the board of the sport as well and have that per- FAI Executive Vice Presi- been hit with a number of wants to bring. to come next. That’s the other legitimate questions, did himself directors. An Oire- ception on the board and that under- dent Delaney is currently on claims of financial mis- “Whatever Blatter says, and he’ll The FAI failed to question, what’s going to come more damage than good.” achtas Committee standing on the board but you need paid gardening leave from management talk eloquently about the love of next? It could be anything. Nothing Delaney has faced several calls on Tuesday heard to have people of independent the association follow- which even- the game and all those wonderful surprises you now. It’s time for from politicians this week to com- he is still on the mind that can make the right ing a series of rev- tually led to words that he uses, he’s now not fit rectify the situation change. We need to take a stand pletely remove himself from the FAI’s payroll and decisions for the right reasons.” elations about him being for purpose to be the person lead- for the beautiful game.” FAI so Irish football can begin to could return to financial prac- banned ing Fifa because his own personal The video was published to You- rebuild trust in the association. it in the future. after notification Sport Ireland CEO . . . Treacy Ban . . . Delaney opposed Blatter 2 ...... Saturday, April 27, 2019 1RM FAI IRREGULARITIES INSIDE STORY The four things you need to know today CALL US: TEXT US: Jockey Ruby 01 479 2579 087 096 3013 MONEY Walsh has no EMAIL US: plans to hang [email protected] up his silks any time soon TODAY’S ISSUE SEE PAGE NINE WEATHER 12 Commitments 15 frontman ‘Deco’ on why he will 13 SPOTTED never tour with the band again SEE PAGES 10&11 15 16 IN 2016 Emiliano Sala’s 18 dad dies just Audit . . . Stepping 11 Sport Sport Ireland knew aside . . . months after Ireland Ex-FAI CEO footie ace’s fatal CEO Treacy Delaney WEATHER with plane crash ISOBEL LANG of €47k payment SEE PAGE 17

SPORT Ireland was EXCLUSIVE by CRAIG FARRELL Council. We further noted and NEIL COTTER correspondence from the FAI Beauty Shauna SUN MON TUES warned that the FAI to the Irish Sports Council in broke spending rules out by Mazars, the same com- July 2014 which stated, at the Campbell tells pany currently commissioned time, that ‘no Irish Sport FOG as far back as 2016, by the FAI to look into the Council money is allocated to of hell dealing we can reveal. association’s finances. the FAI for onward payment TODAY: A bright and blustery day with scattered A report by audit firm The FAI has faced increasing to our affiliates’.” with her painful showers throughout. Quite cool with top tempera- scrutiny following a number of Following receipt of the FAI tures of 8°C to 12°C. Strong winds will gradually Mazars told the agency controversies, resulting in two End of Year report in 2015, mystery allergy ease through the course of the day. there was an increased board members quitting, the Sport Ireland sought and TOMORROW: Cloudy and misty with patches of risk that funding provided rest of the board agreeing to obtained clarification from the light rain and drizzle. Some bright spells in the eve- to the FAI “may not be step down at a future date, FAI, considered the nature of SEE PAGE 22 ning. Highs of 11°C to 16°C. used for the intended and Executive Vice President the expenditure and then MONDAY: Cloudy with the odd shower. Some John Delaney stepping approved the re-allocation as purpose”. “the change complied with sunny spells in the east and north. Rain will become It highlighted aside pending an persistent in the west later in the day, extending investigation. funding criteria”. ON THIS DAY how the associ- Noting the “risk and impli- eastwards at night. Highs of 12°C to 16°C. ation allocated Earlier this month, Sport Ire- cations” of such a finding, IN HISTORY... State funds to land — previously Mazars said: “In the absence an affiliate of prior approval of changes This publication supports the work of the Press without the Irish Sports Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Council — cut off to allocations, there is an approval. Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the access to state increased risk that Sport Ire- Code of Practice for journalists in Ireland. And despite funding after it land funding provided to the You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the gravity of emerged the FAI FAI may not be used for the the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call the findings, had breached regu- intended purpose.” 1890 208 080, or email: [email protected] these details were lations. FOI docu- Sport Ireland CEO John not included in ments show that a Treacy made reference to the Sport Ireland’s sub- 2016 audit into the audit in his opening statement mission to this FAI’s grant terms and to the Oireachtas sport com- month’s Oireachtas com- conditions compliance high- mittee earlier this month, but mittee hearings. lighted a funding allocation did not go into detail about Killer . . . Cotton Eye FOLLOW US ON: In July 2014, the FAI told irregularity. the finding. @IRISHSUNONLINE the State agency that no grant The report’s observation Sport Ireland told the Irish 1923: Eamon de Valera money was being forwarded finding reads: “We noted from Sun: “A procedural matter announces the end of LIKE US ON: to any of their affiliates. the end of year report submit- was identified, and was raised operations against the FACEBOOK.COM/THEIRISHSUN But the probe found the ted to the Irish Sports Council with the FAI in 2015. This was Irish Free State, ending footie body transferred €47,000 in January 2015 that an allo- subsequently included in the to the women’s FAI in contra- 2016 audit report, and was not the Irish Civil War. READ US ON: cation of €47,000 was made by 1953: Irish revolutionary vention of the allocation bud- the FAI to the Women’s Foot- classified as a ‘breach in WWW.THESUN.IE get proposed and without funding regulations’.” Maud Gonne MacBride, ball Association of Ireland, an known for her turbulent formal approval. affiliate of the FAI. Meanwhile, The FAI have Following discussions with “The allocation of this fund- been fined €10,000 by Uefa relationship with WB the FAI in light of the irregu- ing to the WFAI was not in over the tennis ball protest Yeats, dies. QUOTE OF THE DAY larity, Sport Ireland subse- accordance with initial bud- during Ireland’s Euro 2020 1956: World heavyweight quently gave the payment the geted line allocation proposed qualifier win over Georgia. champion Rocky Mar- “I WOULD expect the sort of professionalism that I green light — despite the fact by the FAI and prior approval Tennis balls rained down on ciano retires from boxing would have put in.” it broke its rules. for the re-allocation of this the pitch in the 33rd minute undefeated aged 31. — The Committments’ ANDREW STRONG on chaos of The audit was commissioned funding was not sought in of the March qualifier in pro- 1966: 28 people are the movie band’s reunion in 2011. by Sport Ireland and carried advance from the Irish Sport test at former CEO Delaney. arrested in Dublin as Irish farmers protest against low milk prices. 1981: Beatles drummer Ringo Starr marries actress Barbara Bach. 1994: South African citi- zens of all races vote in a EX-BOSS BREN WANTS FIFA IN general election for the first time ever. 1999: Ireland’s first A FORMER FAI boss has called on Fifa to By CRAIG FARRELL convicted gangland Y S carry out a Trioka-style intervention of R K hyhyhyhyhyhy murderer and drug lord A C T U the Association. manage the association for a set period of L 14 33 35 47 50 S 9 11 ‘Cotton Eye’ Joe Delaney Ex-FAI treasurer and general secretary time in exceptional circumstances. is locked up for life. Brendan Menton wants the world foot- “And there is no doubt we have excep- 2004: Halle Berry files for PLUS ball governing body to implement a tional circumstances in Ireland.” divorce from her second 7 13 16 21 22 normalisation committee to take con- Menton also hit out at Sport Ireland husband Eric Benet. trol of the restructuring required. saying that “the signs were there” of 2006: Construction I-GFJ-58878 I-GFX-20050 I-GFX-32585 I-GFZ-07300 I-GFZ-11047 Menton said: “It is a committee issues within the FAI. begins on the Freedom I-GGC-18326 I-GGC-22866 I-GGC-43949 I-GGC-74099 I-GGC-75397 where Fifa can suspend the board and The Troika was a European committee Tower — the new World management of the football association that organised loans to Ireland. Trade Center in New York and impose independent people to City — almost five years Fine for Tennis Protest — See SunSport after the twin towers were BINGO: P28 / MYSTIC MEG: P35 hit by terrorists. JUST €1.10 ‘ANA HAD NOOSE AROUND HER NECK’ By MICHAEL DOYLE A GARDA has told how Ana Kriegel’s naked body was found with a “noose” around her neck. Det Sgt Declan Birchall said Ana, 14, had three fingers in it as if trying to “pull it away”. Boy A and Boy B — both 14 — deny the mur- der on May 14, 2018, in Lucan, Dublin. Full Story — Pages Six and Seven Thursday, May 9, 2019 BEST VALUE IN IRELAND €1.10 (55p NI) www.thesun.ie

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI FINAL MEET MEG & HARRY’S LITTLE.. AJAX...2 SPURS...3 (AGG 3-3) SPURS WIN ON AWAY GOALS THE DAM BUSTERS SEE SUNSPORT AND GOALS ARCHIE ANGEL SEE PAGES 12,13,14,15,28&29 FAI CHIEF PAY EXCLUSIVE

By NEIL COTTER and DEALANEY’SCRAIG FARRELL JOHN Delaney signed a “golden handcuffs”-style deal worth more than €2million with the FAI in 2014, we have learned. The mega seven-year deferred payment has not appeared on the body’s accounts since. A source said of the ex-CEO’s bumper pack- age: “A deal is a deal, and he’s entitled to it.” MILLIONS Full Story — Page Five Ex-CEO entitled to up to €2m in loyalty payment 1RM Thursday, May 9, 2019 ...... 5 DELANEY’S BONUS PACT WITH FAI

EXCLUSIVE by NEIL COTTER and CRAIG FARRELL JOHN Delaney signed a bumper loyalty deal worth more than €2million in 2014, the Irish Sun can reveal. The deferred payment was designed to reward the then-CEO for his service over the next seven years of his tenure. We understand the value of the ‘golden Ex-CEO handcuffs’ package is proving to be a sig- nificant stumbling block in negotiations over his exit from the FAI. The CEO retention contract is believed to have brought the value of his annual package — once €360,000 salary and expenses are factored in — to in excess of €700,000, sources say. The Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement is investigating the FAI, and the deal, which has never appeared in the FAI accounts, forms part of the probe. It is understood the Board was aware he signed the contract, but sources tell us some weren’t fully aware of the detail. A high-level source told us: “At the end of the day, Delaney negotiated the con- agreed tract. How extensive it is or how costly for the FAI is not his problem. It wasn’t the best for the FAI but it was for him. “A deal is still the deal no matter how bad it looks now for everyone else. That’s his entitlement. “It was signed in 2014, and it was never really questioned. This is where the governance falls down.” The Executive Vice President — who has stepped aside pending a number of inves- tigations into FAI finances — is believed to be entitled to a portion of the overall value of the contract if he leaves the FAI before 2021, based on the number of years elapsed since 2014. A source added: “It looks like the value loyalty of his overall package was in excess of €700,000 per annum once the deferred payment and expenses were factored in.” Another source told us: “The reason Del- aney won’t step down is he wants this payment sorted out and done and the FAI obviously have concerns over the cost. “The Board weren’t fully aware of the value of it. “Retention bonuses are common when businesses fear an important executive could leave for any reason. It’s an incen- tive plan. Usually it involves shares or a cash payment. The recipient alternatively could decide to invest it into a pension pot. It depends on the agreement.” Last month, the Irish Sun revealed that package 6The FAI are a H4 complaint filed by the FAI’s auditors did not relate to the €100,000 cheque the former CEO wrote his employers in 2017. said to be The H4 means the FAI potentially faces a Garda or Financial Regulator probe for concerned failing to rectify their accounts within a seven-day notification period. The corporate watchdog has already ini- over cost of tiated legal proceeding against the FAI. Documents were lodged in the High Delaney exit7 Court on Thursday by the ODCE and the High Court on Friday heard lawyers for the ODCE make an application relating to matters sought by them from the FAI. On April 19, the ODCE sought docu- ments from the FAI including minutes for Board meetings between January 1, 2016, of €2m and March 21, 2019. Last week, the FAI supplied the docu- mentation and placed several documents in a separate container which it seeks to claim privilege over. The ODCE wants the High Court to determine if the material is legally privileged, and the application is before the court again today. The Irish Sun has contacted the FAI for comment. Meanwhile, former for long Letter . . . Menton FAI Treasurer Bren- dan Menton has writ- ten an open letter to Minister Shane Ross and Junior Sports Minister Brendan Grif- fin questioning the current FAI/Sport Ire- land governance review. He said: “I believe that governance reform without fundamental structural change throughout the FAI organisation will be ineffective. I believe there must be radical restructuring of the Football Asso- €700K ciation of Ireland. “Transformation must be powered from Believed to be the the grassroots, not imposed from the top.” He detailed his own reform proposals service value of then CEO’s including updating Association rules, changing voting rights, having coaches, overall package staff, fans and players represented at FAI Council meetings and having hon- since 2014 orary officers elected at AGM rather DEAL STRUCK IN 2014 than the FAI Council. @NewsNeil13