FAI will be unable to play long game until they move beyond the short version

Daniel McDonnell

Analysis

Niall Quinn is to step away from his deputy interim CEO role at the FAI. Photo: Sportsfile

August 26 2020 02:30 AM

There should be a manic aspect to next Monday for anyone with an interest in Irish football, and Niall Quinn was on message by drumming home the importance at every opportunity yesterday.

It's not because Stephen Kenny's first Ireland squad will be fully convened in Dublin and undergoing their Covid-19 tests ahead of their trip to Bulgaria.

It's not due to the scheduling of two FAI Cup games, or because the draw for the next round of European competition is taking place. After Derry's deflating defeat in Lithuania, we are waiting to see if Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians can join crisis-ridden Dundalk in the Europa League drum.

Instead, it's the FAI EGM that is controlling the thoughts of the decision-makers in Abbotstown. The emergency meeting will now be a virtual affair, but the implications will be real if the delegates vote against the proposed rule changes that are tied in with the restoration of state funding.

Quinn's contract is up and he suggested at an event to launch the WatchLOI half-season pass that he's one of many people whose futures are wrapped up in the outcome of the vote. In other words, if changes to the board and committee structure are rejected by the rank and file, there may be negative consequences for the workforce.

Hence, the mission to sell the importance of a green light and re-assert that there shouldn't be concerns about the 'new' faces in Abbotstown; a stormy meeting in the Red Cow earlier in the month was preceded by squabbles between board members and scepticism around the intentions of Quinn and his 'Visionary Group' colleagues.

"This isn't the game being taken over by a new group," repeated Quinn. "There's no individual vendettas, no desire for a group to have the power. It's about making sure the Association is structured to come through a period of correction."

He later acknowledged that the FAI are still hopeful that the Government will accept the installation of a fit and proper persons test - or electoral code - to replace a clause demanding that Council members with 10 years' service depart immediately.

The fact the FAI are working hard to get this agreed suggests they know it is important to appease unhappy veterans.

But it really would be extraordinary during this period of Covid-19 uncertainty - with no sight of crowds returning to the Aviva in 2020 and question marks hanging over 2021 - if the FAI's voting body risked the wrath of Government and probably large swathes of the general public by formally rejecting the terms of January's rescue deal.

What we do know is that it's hard to really talk long term without certainty over this issue. Media were invited to Abbotstown to speak to Quinn and new League of Ireland director Mark Scanlon about the WatchLOI streaming service with a fresh package launched for the remainder of the campaign.

For fans of the league, the service is proving popular although Quinn said they could not disclose sales figures for commercial reasons. "It's encouraging to the point where we'll have a dividend for the clubs," was the party line, while admitting there is room to improve.

Nevertheless, it would be disingenuous to overlook the fact that doubters questioned if this service could get off the ground. It's now hard to imagine a version of it not being available going forward and it's firmly in the plans for 2021 and beyond with the First Division set to be added in.

However, the FAI don't know where they stand as regards a TV deal or a title sponsor for the league with Airtricity's time drawing to a close.

Pressed for further detail, Quinn reverted to the mantra that it depended on Monday. All strategy is hypothetical until Monday, it seems.

This was Scanlon's first media event, and he handled it pretty well given the unrest that greeted his appointment on account of the FAI's decision to only advertise internally. "I'm confident in my own ability," he said. "I wouldn't have gone for the job otherwise."

The Meathman declined to get sucked into bold statements around where the league might be in five years' time, acknowledging that his opening weeks in the gig have essentially consisted of managing the demands created by the Covid-19 situation.

Further talks around the short- and long-term state of the underage national leagues are planned with the 2020 fate likely to be influenced by the success of the reopening of schools. On Monday, the FAI have their own test to pass.