The John Delaney Thread

[geysir]

I thought the language the FAI had used in their statement was interesting/suspect: "...following meetings with Nyon..."

How does one meet with a place? Usually one would meet in a place. Presumably, this was a sly euphemism for saying that he "met" with them, not in Nyon, but remotely, or had a telephone conversation, in other words. And that conversation probably amounted to little more than UEFA confirming to the FAI that more tickets were on the way to the FAI due to the heavy demand, just like other associations were benefiting too.

What a complete charlatan of spin and nonsense Delaney is.
I thought you had fallen for a spoof article, albeit with a believability factor so strong that one could justifiably accept it at face value.
But it's on the FAI websit (http://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/fai-receives-extra-allocation-of-euro-2016-tickets)e
I presume it should be "meeting with UEFA in Nyon"

Delaney is such a character that even Blatter felt a bit dirty around him and gave him Eur 5m to go far away.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Highly critical article regarding big, bloaty head on the French website for So Foot.

http://www.sofoot.com/john-delaney-la-blatte-irlandaise-226525.html

http://www.balls.ie/football/john-delaney/340593

[Kingdom]

That translated highly critical article is gone, and record of it has gone from balls, ybig and elsewhere. Strange that sofoot still have it up...

[tetsujin1979]

That translated highly critical article is gone, and record of it has gone from balls, ybig and elsewhere. Strange that sofoot still have it up...

the thread on ybig had some mentions of lawyers getting involved in previous articles that criticised Delaney, and that France has different libel laws to Ireland.

[SkStu]

...and that France has different libel laws to Ireland.

I think its just that the gallic shrug is seen as a complete defense of any opinion.

http://www.thegoodlifefrance.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/french-facial-expressions.gif

[disgruntled]

"  Blatter made ​​fun of us, remember. I told him what I thought of it, there were a few expletives. Then we reached an agreement. A very good deal for the FAI. "The author of the output is John Delaney, the Chief Executive of the Football Association of Ireland. We June 4, 2015, eight days after the arrest of seven FIFA officials in Zurich, and two days after the resignation of Sepp Blatter. Is a latte stroke-like projection from behind a man down.

FIFA would have paid the Irish Federal for the hand of Henry (http://www.sofoot.com/la-fifa-aurait-paye-la-fede-irlandaise-pour-la-main-d-henry-202375.html)

The object of the arrangement in question? The hand of Thierry Henry, one evening in November 2009. The contents of the "  good agreement  "?Nearly five million, nothing less. However, right after the match, Delaney stated that the Irish protest was "  not a question of money but a question of sporting integrity  ." In the process, he had ignored the price of fair play proposed by FIFA. But behind the scenes, John Delaney continued to maneuver. As from the beginning of the ascent of King John in the arcana of the FAI.
Keane and Delaney, enemies and friendsThe Delaney family name is well known Irish football. The "  Baron Joe " father of "  King John  ," is the treasurer of the FAI in the 90s An officer involved in an official ticket resale business related to World Cups 1990 and 1994, which will eventually be throw the night of 8 March 1996 in an atmosphere of settling scores. Then John is 29 and is a modest delegate Waterford. But the eviction of his paternal will excite ambition and sharpen his fangs. Five years later, in 2001, he became after the youngest father treasurer of the history of the FAI to 34. The step after this is a well placed opportunism in 2002 in the case of Saipan, by joining a portion of public opinion that demands the head of Roy Keane. The captain has publicly criticize the methods of McCarthy coach when preparing for the 2002 World Cup, on the island of Saipan. Keane is excluded, Delaney has made ​​a name. Today, Roy Keane is the assistant of Martin O'Neill at the head of the selection by John D. ...

"We have shown our Boys in Green to the end" (http://www.sofoot.com/on-a-represente-nos-boys-in-green-jusqu-au-bout-225174.html)

For since, John Delaney took advantage of the stormy departure of Fran Rooney to head of the Federation in 2004 and then to be extended twice up to receive a salary of 430,000 euros per year. Is double that wins the champion of the League of Ireland, is also more than the emoluments of his Italian and Spanish counterparts combined. In a country where half of the elite clubs struggling to make ends meet, the figures go wrong with followers. And the salary reduction granted in 2010 by the boss - 430 000-340 000 annual euros - is not enough to stop the fire from critics. Even today, after Euro succeeded his Boys in Green, Delaney must appeal to private benefactor Denis O'Brien to ensure the renewal of contracts of coach - € 1.1 million for the year, as Fernando Santos - and its staff. Government subsidies of around 2.7 million euros per year for the operation of Irish football, not enough to appease the gluttonous appetite.

http://www.sofoot.com/d-226525-capture-d-e-cc-81cran-2016-07-22-a-cc-80-122351.jpg (http://www.sofoot.com/d-226525-capture-d-e-cc-81cran-2016-07-22-a-cc-80-122351.jpg)
"  Validate your new girlfriend  "In the public, other images go wrong. That of the double wave of Ancelotti evening after the Irish pitiful campaign at Euro 2012 is one.The fans will be satisfied nor its justification - that his staff and he had "  organized a chess without participation administratively. That was our main role and we succeeded. (...) I think it's something that I have the right to do from time to time.  "- Either by supporting Giovanni Trapattoni in his way: "  in England and Ireland, it is a habit. Sometimes when certain behaviors surprise me, I was told, "We are Irish" or "We are English." (...)It's a cultural thing. Sometimes we have the same problems with the players. "The Trap ', which has not managed to qualify Ireland 2010 World Cup, which will be out of Euro 2012 with three defeats in the haversack, which has failed in his quest for Brazil 2014, will eventually leave a position for which he was chosen by Delaney at an annual 1.8 million euros.

FIFA is due on 5 million offered for ISPs (http://www.sofoot.com/la-fifa-s-explique-sur-les-5-millions-offerts-a-la-fai-202409.html)

Today when Delaney congratulates Green supporters to be "  the best ambassadors of Ireland  ," they do not return the compliment. T-shirts " **** Delaney  " have flourished all over France. This is not so much for his wife, the distinguished English Emma - that "  Sepp Blatter set for seven or eight seconds, then said: " I validate your new girlfriend. " I told him to move  " - for his haphazard management of the local championship. Financial difficulties, a non-existent training, the best players leaving very young in England, and a public deserting stadiums into disrepair. Even "  good agreement  " a few million scraped FIFA is not enough to soften the resentment.
Thierry Henry vs Simon CoxAnd it is not so much the dual JD game that is criticized. After the match against the Blues, when asked about the French qualification, he replied: "  I will ask the players and the coach, and they tell me that the result is wrong, I will do what I am asked.  " Exactly. In 2012, the Irish must be at least a point against Armenia to access the dam, otherwise it will be for clicks Mkhitaryan. At the 26 th , Simon Cox, Irish striker, hand control, then pulls the torso keeper Berezovsky out to meet him outside the box. The referee blows ... and expels the Armenian guard, and the Irish won 2-1. In the mixed zone, Cox does not avoid: "  The ball came over my shoulder, I tried to control it. I do not think the goalkeeper touched the ball with his hand.  "But, like others in his position, Delaney known to have selective memory. Go to the dam, then. And a qualification at the end.





Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12yczZm0eZg)






No, if the Irish are not satisfied with the arrangement, it is with regard to the use of the money. The day after the revelation of Delaney, June 5, 2015, FIFA illuminates the case to the Team : "  While the referee's decision was final and that the ISP has finally accepted in January 2010, FIFA has reached an agreement with the FAI to end any proceedings against FIFA.FIFA agreed to pay five million dollars (4.4 million euros) to the FAI for the construction of a stadium in Ireland. At the same time, UEFA has also provided funds for the same stage. The agreement provided that the ISP would repay the loan if Ireland qualified for the 2014 World Cup, which it failed to do. Accordingly, and in view of the financial position of the FAI, FIFA decided December 31, 2014 not to seek repayment of that loan.  "

Between the rain and anonymity (http://www.sofoot.com/entre-la-pluie-et-l-anonymat-218462.html)

So there is a contract condition the repayment of a loan to a qualification in a sports tournament, the loan itself already granted to stop prosecution. Then there is the subject of the loan, the construction of the national Aviva Stadium, shared between rugby, soccer and concerts, where clubs appear most in need. Finally there is a question of political levels, questioning the FAI on the registration of absence of the amount in the accounts since 2010. To which the FAI Delaney replied: "  Everything is in our official documents, which are audited by an independent body. (...) the agreement has never influenced the criticism of FIFA by the ISP, as shown by our constant criticism of Sepp Blatter.  "Yet less than 10 days after the revelations of agreement, the introduction of the match program between Ireland and Scotland is changed, the quips to the former boss of FIFA removed, all reprinted for 18,000 euros. The author of the editorial? John Delaney, of course.BY ERIC CARPENTIER

[Park_Lane]

Is there a chance now that se could get rid of Delaney to the OCI? What with Pat Hickey being banged up abroad and all. Who would be the front runner to take over if he does jump ship? Emma English? Or maybe another FAI blazer for continuity?

[tetsujin1979]

Warrant out for his passport according to the Irish Times: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/brazilian-police-seek-to-seize-john-delaney-s-passport-1.2763730

[bennocelt]

It gets better, lol
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/brazilian-police-seek-to-seize-john-delaney-s-passport-1.2763730
(just before me, lol)

[BonnieShels]

Is there a chance now that se could get rid of Delaney to the OCI? What with Pat Hickey being banged up abroad and all. Who would be the front runner to take over if he does jump ship? Emma English? Or maybe another FAI blazer for continuity?

I was hoping that until the warrant was issued.

Finally the end is near...


Darragh Moloney just announced it there on RTÉ.

[Stuttgart88]

They say history doesn't repeat itself but it rhymes. Jimmy the Greek etc.

[ger121]

God this news has made my Sunday. I hope it is the beginning of the end.

[IsMiseSean]

Shame it didn't go down with Delaney as it did with Hickey. It would have been hilarious to see an early morning arrest of JD in his jocks :D

[NeverFeltBetter]

I guess the sing-song on the plane home will have to be put off.

Really though, I wouldn't be surprised if all investigations/charges were quietly dropped next week once the Games are actually over.

[Park_Lane]

Is Delaney still in Brazil lads? Please god he is. Hockey mist be singing like a quireboy to the Brazilian 5-0. We have Romario to thank for this, god bless that little Brazilian wizard

[backstothewall]

Even if he ends up doing longer in a South American jail than Michaella it means nothing if the next guy is the next FAI type in line.

I wonder if Niall Quinn is still interested.

[geysir]

If Delaney's name is being muddied into this OCI ticket tout debacle by the Brazil investigation, surely that lessens the chances of him leaving the FAI to take over at the helm of the OCI?

[nigel-harps1954]

Is Delaney still in Brazil lads? Please god he is. Hockey mist be singing like a quireboy to the Brazilian 5-0. We have Romario to thank for this, god bless that little Brazilian wizard

He was in Portlaoise last night. I'd suspect nothing will come of this, but at very least, it's bad press for the FAI and OCI and might spark a bit of interest into looking further into FAI affairs and potentially put a bit of pressure on Delaney to step down.

[colonelwest]

They say history doesn't repeat itself but it rhymes. Jimmy the Greek etc.

Yup, all of this has happened before and all of this will happen again, the bauld JD getting himself in there to make up for the sins of the father, maneuvered and caroused, saw his opportunity with Saipan and hasn't looked back. It all comes back to his auld fella doing, amongst a litany of other things, similar to the OCI/ Hickey at USA 94. Selling tickets out of a hotel room, people going up to get them and seeing what must have been hundreds of thousands in cash littered around the room. For those that don't know, a pretty good summary of it here:

http://www.soccer-ireland.com/irish-football-history/merriongate.htm

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

[Park_Lane]

Even if he ends up doing longer in a South American jail than Michaella it means nothing if the next guy is the next FAI type in line.

Yeah true, probably end up with Fran Gavin.

[BonnieShels]

Yup, all of this has happened before and all of this will happen again, the bauld JD getting himself in there to make up for the sins of the father, maneuvered and caroused, saw his opportunity with Saipan and hasn't looked back. It all comes back to his auld fella doing, amongst a litany of other things, similar to the OCI/ Hickey at USA 94. Selling tickets out of a hotel room, people going up to get them and seeing what must have been hundreds of thousands in cash littered around the room. For those that don't know, a pretty good summary of it here:

http://www.soccer-ireland.com/irish-football-history/merriongate.htm

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

I was never a fan of Fran Rooney but the shenanigans that went on from Saipan, to his appointment and then subsequent ousting were unreal.

[geysir]

He was in Portlaoise last night. I'd suspect nothing will come of this, but at very least, it's bad press for the FAI and OCI and might spark a bit of interest into looking further into FAI affairs and potentially put a bit of pressure on Delaney to step down.
Not a chance on earth of that happening.

[gastric]

If Delaney's name is being muddied into this OCI ticket tout debacle by the Brazil investigation, surely that lessens the chances of him leaving the FAI to take over at the helm of the OCI?

No, going by Irish sports politics, he is probably now favourite to take over. The idea of having AGMs with no questions might appeal to the OCI presently!

[zander1983]

Fran Gavin wouldn't last long - he was desperate on RTE later. BTW, has anyone ever checked his Linked In? He has a 2 year course done in HR and used to be a photographer! How do these people rise so far in the FAI?

[tetsujin1979]

you don't need qualifications to join the FAI, same as being a TD. Then, time and work takes care of promotions

[paul_oshea]

well in any walk of life time and work and effort should pay off. However I am concerned about everyone wanting delaney out, if delaney runs the show like he does, then he pulls the wool over a sheep following, it will be an even worse replacement than John Delaney. Be careful what you wish for. Like the fall of sadam and the rest, what comes in its place is usually much worse.

[BonnieShels]

well in any walk of life time and work and effort should pay off. However I am concerned about everyone wanting delaney out, if delaney runs the show like he does, then he pulls the wool over a sheep following, it will be an even worse replacement than John Delaney. Be careful what you wish for. Like the fall of sadam and the rest, what comes in its place is usually much worse.

But by that logic we should never change anything ever no matter how bad?

I would like to think that with Delaney gone others would also fall. No one has the teflon nature of John so no way would any of them last as long.

Niall Quinn for the FAI.

[Stuttgart88]

Be careful what you wish for. Like the fall of sadam and the rest, what comes in its place is usually much worse.Exactly what I was thinking, exactly. I think Irish football is such a diverse set of warring tribes that it'd be a miracle if anyone can join it up. Keeping everything ticking over quietly might be the best we can hope for. That said, I'd give it a try and I wish the ISC or whatever it's called now and the Minister for Sport would at least show some interest.

[Charlie Darwin]

Keeping everything ticking over quietly might be the best we can hope for.
Why?.

[paul_oshea]

Well for a start if you disagree with it, it must be a good thing.

[Stuttgart88]

Why?.Because it might get worse, as per the Saddam analogy. The warring tribes might pull further apart or an even bigger charlatan might take the reins. Note use of word "might" each time!

I have doubts that Irish football governance can cure itself. I think some government action might be needed. If the state can call a special meeting of the relevant Oireachtas Committee to scrutinise the sale of GAA TV rights in the UK to Sky, then they can surely at least hold one meeting to discuss the FAI.

[Lionel Ritchie]

Perhaps if he was ousted we could go the courts and have the IFA nominated as a court appointed guardian of football in Ireland. Though we'd want to double-check and dot the i's on that application or we could end up with the Irish Farmers Association looking after sacar here. Could do worse I suppose.

[BonnieShels]

Exactly what I was thinking, exactly. I think Irish football is such a diverse set of warring tribes that it'd be a miracle if anyone can join it up. Keeping everything ticking over quietly might be the best we can hope for. That said, I'd give it a try and I wish the ISC or whatever it's called now and the Minister for Sport would at least show some interest.

Maybe it's time to start ignoring the "warring factions".

If they don't want to move along then feck them. Soon enough when the crumbs stop falling from the table they'll soon get on board.

[BonnieShels]

Perhaps if he was ousted we could go the courts and have the IFA nominated as a court appointed guardian of football in Ireland. Though we'd want to double-check and dot the i's on that application or we could end up with the Irish Farmers Association looking after sacar here. Could do worse I suppose.

Dya not remember what the IFA (Bluebell) were getting up to last year?

http://www.thejournal.ie/irish-farmers-association-salaries-2462724-Nov2015/

[Lionel Ritchie]

Dya not remember what the IFA (Bluebell) were getting up to last year?

http://www.thejournal.ie/irish-farmers-association-salaries-2462724-Nov2015/

But he was only being paid what the The Remuneration Committee (should that not be com'tee?) decided. Blameless. More importantly it suggests an entirely empathic culture leading to a seamless merger.

[geysir]

Why?.
Because then we can treasure the relative tranquility of an organisation ticking over just as they did under somebody like Saddam --> Iran/Iraq, invasions, war, rape, pillage, genocide, chemical war, torture etc etc.
Happy days:)

[Charlie Darwin]

Because it might get worse, as per the Saddam analogy.
It's not a great argument for the status quo.

The factions are warring regardless. It'd be the same war if Delaney was gone except with the possibility of the more sensible people in each seeking resolutions.

[Stuttgart88]

Because then we can treasure the relative tranquility of an organisation ticking over just as they did under somebody like Saddam --> Iran/Iraq, invasions, war, rape, pillage, genocide, chemical war, torture etc etc.
Happy days:)Oh come on, the point was clear and we can argue the merits of a removing a despot and all his regime entailed over the spread of ISIS and its consequences in Syria and in Europe all day long.

I think it's fair to throw it out there that removing Delaney by itself won't solve anything.

[SkStu]

Sometimes things need to get worse before they can get better.

[geysir]

Oh come on, the point was clear and we can argue the merits of a removing a despot and all his regime entailed over the spread of ISIS and its consequences in Syria and in Europe all day long.

I think it's fair to throw it out there that removing Delaney by itself won't solve anything.
If you choose to accept a Paul analogy at face value then you have to take the punches :)
The Saddam analogy was a very very poor choice to get across the message, self defeating.
The Marshall Tito/Yugoslavia example is probably a lot closer to what you were intending to convey.

Personally I wouldn't tolerate a despot inside the FAI just because there might be more of the same to replace him/her around the corner. It's hard to know where to start with the FAI as there's no rational organisational structure, along with no transparency or accountability. There's a widespread absence of trust. Much of those ills are embodied by Delaney. If by chance he did move on, then there is an opening for something to happen, an opportunity.

[bennocelt]

Oh come on, the point was clear and we can argue the merits of a removing a despot and all his regime entailed over the spread of ISIS and its consequences in Syria and in Europe all day long.

I think it's fair to throw it out there that removing Delaney by itself won't solve anything.

But Stutts you have met the man on many occasions, is he a friend?

[Stuttgart88]

I've never even been to Iraq FFS.

[Stuttgart88]

And I met Delaney once for about 5 seconds - and I asked him about the LOI :)

I've long argued here that the organisation / structure of the FAI is antiquated and not fit for purpose. But it's the structure that allows someone like JD to operate like he does. The President is as bad if not worse. There is a risk, not a certainty, that his departure would just let another opportunist in, someone who the turkeys know will cancel Christmas.

Would I take the risk that things might not get better? Yes, of course I would.

Should the Sports Council - whatever it's called now, Sport Ireland? - be less compliant? Damned right. I can only see government (direct or indirect) pressure leading to any kind of organisational inquiry. GB Olympic success was built on a model where lottery money was only distributed to those organisations whose governing bodies were deemed fit for purpose. Prior to this sports NGBs were going bust left right and centre. One body even mislaid £20 million, the money turning up in a bank account they had forgotten they owned! A huge improvement in the quality of governance followed.

I've gone as far as writing to two ministers for sport and I was practically trolling John O'Mahony TD on Twitter (Chair of the relevent Oireachtas Comittee) asking him to take note of the governance failures at the FAI. Varadakar emailed back to say it wouldn't be right as Minister of Sport for him to be bothered, or something trite. I'd hardly do this if JD was my friend Benno.

Examples of how the UK is proactive in sports governance issues

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-governance-code-will-ensure-highest-levels-of-transparency-in-british-sport

You'd have to laugh at the prospect of the FAI having to be held to these standards. But in gombeen land it's all grand.

http://www.sportsmanagement.co.uk/Sports-news/latest/Inquiry-uncovers-fundamental-flaws

[DeLorean]

And I met Delaney once for about 5 seconds - and I asked him about the LOI ��

I met him at a fundraiser in early 2012, was actually chatting to him for 10-15 minutes just the two of us. A bit of a waste really as I wouldn't have been too well up on his and the FAI failings! Not that he would have spent that amount of time listening to me if I was. He was a very nice guy to chat to though, seemed really down to earth!

[Stuttgart88]

"Thank you for your email. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport it would be inappropriate for me to pass comment on the internal structures of a national sporting organisation.

In relation to your proposal for a parliamentary investigation, that would ultimately be a matter for the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications which also has responsibility for Sport. This committee's details can be found form the link below:

http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/oireachtasbusiness/committees_list/transportandcommunications/"


And for sake of transparency the FAI has never been anything less than really helpful to me on ticketing issues.

I honestly feel that had Tony O'Neill not died we'd have seen a very different last 20 years of domestic football.

[BonnieShels]

"Thank you for your email. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport it would be inappropriate for me to pass comment on the internal structures of a national sporting organisation.

In relation to your proposal for a parliamentary investigation, that would ultimately be a matter for the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications which also has responsibility for Sport. This committee's details can be found form the link below:

http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/oireachtasbusiness/committees_list/transportandcommunications/"


And for sake of transparency the FAI has never been anything less than really helpful to me on ticketing issues.

I honestly feel that had Tony O'Neill not died we'd have seen a very different last 20 years of domestic football.

Stick him in the what if pile with John Smith, Mo Mowlam and David Ervine.

[osarusan]

Statement on the FAI website that the Brazilian warrant issued for Delaney has been withdrawn, and that in his role with OCI he knew nothing about ticket distribution or anything else.

Pity. The idea of him languishing in a Brazilian prison gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside.

[BonnieShels]

Stick him in the what if pile with John Smith, Mo Mowlam and David Ervine.

Jaysus that's a depressing post as I read it again. FFS.

[tetsujin1979]

live feed of Delaney's questioning in the House of the Oireachtas right now: https://www.facebook.com/OireachtasNews/videos/10155347601629239/

[Stuttgart88]

I just turned on. Only took 15 seconds of watching Philip Browne to mention rugby's values :)

I'm annoyed I missed Delaney. I hear he got asked about the AGMs and he evaded answering.