FAI open investigation into Athlone

**ATFC-1887** · 03/05/2017, 5:06 PM

http://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/fai-...hlone-town-afc

**Longfordian** · 03/05/2017, 5:21 PM

"Nothing to do with us Fran, we don't know what the Chinese lads (a great bunch of lads they are too) would be up to".

"The FAI has not found any evidence of improper behaviour by any players, officials or coaches of Athlone Town AFC".

To be fair it looks like they were waiting for evidence which they now have so someone is going down for it.

**ATFC-1887** · 03/05/2017, 5:39 PM

Strange feeling this. We've been working on stuff and releasing information bit by bit for a few months. Glad it's finally paying off.

**gufcfan** · 03/05/2017, 5:45 PM

Originally Posted by ATFC-1887

Glad it's finally paying off.

Glad your accum came in. Congrats.

**Longfordian** · 03/05/2017, 5:52 PM

Athlone are "absolutely shocked" and will "take action against any wrongdoers". Sure.

**thomas72** · 03/05/2017, 6:09 PM

Balls if I'd known would of been handy money uggg

**ATFC-1887** · 03/05/2017, 6:18 PM

We got a nice tip off with 5 minutes to go Saturday.. .Allegedly

**total hoofball** · 03/05/2017, 6:43 PM

Absolutely shocking, nobody saw this coming, not in our league

...etc. etc. from John Delaney, Fran Gavin, the FAI Licensing Committee, Athlone Town FC and their Portuguese/Chinese investors who have put their hard earned money into their childhood club

**L.T.F.C.** · 03/05/2017, 7:34 PM

Lads, you would have seen it if you were at the game... Horrific stuff.

**Nah Nah Nah Nah** · 03/05/2017, 8:01 PM

Our very own Sean Spicer

https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football...ue-of-ireland/

**Briuk** · 03/05/2017, 10:35 PM

Indeed the league is ideal for what this guys are doing, as there is no relegation, so you can buy a club and play with it year after year... I guess that they ahve been too greedy

**Ezeikial** · 04/05/2017, 8:59 AM

Originally Posted by ATFC-1887

http://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/fai-...hlone-town-afc

That statement includes this gem

On March 29, Mr Gavin delivered an Integrity Workshop presentation to the Athlone Town AFC senior squad and coaches on the prevention of match-fixing and betting, in his role as FAI Integrity Officer

Fran Gavin being named as Integrity Officer is worthy of a Waterford Whispers satire piece.

Is that what you call a Oxymoron?

**sbgawa** · 04/05/2017, 9:01 AM

Have to admit I slogged off the conspiracy theorists because I didn't believe anyone would be stupid enough to think they could get serious money on a LOI first division match without getting caught......seems I was wrong on both counts.....bizarre

**nigel-harps1954** · 04/05/2017, 9:03 AM

Can we credit the FAI for creating the atmosphere?

**pineapple stu** · 04/05/2017, 9:34 AM

I think this maybe indicates a big and growing problem with the LoI that the FAI have failed to address.

We're running out of clubs, and nobody wants to join.

So when Athlone are screwed financially, rather than let them die and re-form as AFC Athlone, or get relegated to a lower-cost league and sort themselves out, the FAI really had no choice but to bail them out. They can't afford to lose more clubs.

But with extra costs from the underage leagues, and the FAI still taking money out of the league rather than putting it in, this problem can only arise again. What happens now if, say, Cabo go to the FAI and say they're dropping out? Does Fran fish around for the first investor he can find and hand them the club?

The betting issue is one item, and a worrying one at that (why did Athlone miss that penalty to equalise in Waterford a couple of weeks ago?), but I think what this episode says about the whole health of the league is a bigger one. And if the FAI's only response is Conroy, then we're ****ed tbh.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 04/05/2017, 10:27 AM

If wrongdoing is confirmed, what will the result be? A criminal case against the individuals of course, but what form would club sanctions take that wouldn't be counter-productive to maintaining their LOI status?

**Mr A** · 04/05/2017, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter

If wrongdoing is confirmed, what will the result be? A criminal case against the individuals of course, but what form would club sanctions take that wouldn't be counter-productive to maintaining their LOI status?

The bigger question is whether Paddy Power will take bets on any of this.

**Larry 'da' Wyse** · 04/05/2017, 12:27 PM

Hate seeing this happen in Athlone. Whatever happens I guess we will have our first * in the league table. Wonder how yer man who dontated some much finance to the club and its relocation feels right now.