4 ...............Friday, March 29, 2019 1RM 1RM Friday, March 29, 2019 ............... 5 MMODELODEL PARTNEREDPARTNERED DELANEYDELANEY ATAT STRICTLYSSTTRRIICCTTLLYY CHARITYCCHHAARRIITTYY FOOTIEFFOOOOTTIIEE BASHBBAASSHH 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 Free Fantastic Beasts sticker album SEE PAGE 20 Saturday, November 24, 2018 BEST VALUE IN IRELAND €1.20 (70p NI) www.thesun.ie By AOIFE Nic ARDGHAIL THIS is the young woman who shot Prem’s back a six-month-old baby during a feud between two families. Charlene Dono- van, 23, and her dad Dan were jailed for five FREE years yesterday after they pleaded guilty to shotgun possession with intent to endanger life and reck- SPURS vs CHELSEA lessly dis- charging a firearm. 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