FIFA loan detailed after Irish PM's clarity call

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) on Friday published a timetable of how it received a five-million-euro loan from FIFA in return for dropping a legal case.

The details came after Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny on Friday called for further information about the "extraordinary" loan.

The FAI said because FIFA had confirmed the transaction, it was no longer bound by the confidentiality agreement between them over the settlement.

"The board of the association acted at all times in the best interests of Irish football, and in full compliance with Irish company law," the FAI insisted.

The development comes amid a corruption scandal engulfing FIFA that has seen FIFA executives arrested, its president Sepp Blatter announce his resignation and former executive committee member Chuck Blazer admit to paying bribes.

France qualified for the 2010 World Cup at Ireland's expense after Thierry Henry blatantly handled the ball when setting up William Gallas for the decisive goal in a play-off match in Paris in November 2009.
In their timetable of the settlement with FIFA, the FAI said they had "left the issue of legal action on the table" after FIFA "provided no suggestion of a football solution" to the situation, rejecting calls for a replay.

When Blatter publicly made a joke of the FAI's request for Ireland to be the 33rd team at the 2010 World Cup, "this was in direct breach of agreed confidentiality and subsequently brought reputational damage to the FAI," the body said.

- Apology then compensation offer -

Blatter apologised at a meeting in January.

"After negotiation, FIFA offered the FAI a five million euro interest-free loan by way of compensation as well as a $400,000 Goal Project grant that was used for FAI regional football centres," the statement continued.

The money went towards building Ireland's new national football and rugby stadium in Dublin.

"The five million euro loan was accounted for in the 2010 audited financial statements, under 'Bank and other Loans'," the FAI insisted.
On Thursday, FAI chief executive John Delaney revealed how after a hot-tempered meeting with Blatter, FIFA agreed to pay the FAI not to proceed with a legal case.

In a statement released after Delaney's comments, FIFA confirmed it had "entered into an agreement with FAI in order to put an end to any claims against FIFA".

FIFA said the funds were only to be paid back if Ireland reached the 2014 World Cup, which they failed to do.

Prime Minister Kenny earlier Friday said of the arrangement: "This is quite extraordinary", calling for more information in the "interests of transparency and accountability".

Deputy PM Joan Burton said it was an "intriguing story", adding: "Particularly the meeting where you walk in, have a few hot words, and leave with five million in your pocket."
Source: AFP