The Football Association of Ireland responds to Ian Foster’s inaccurate comments
The Football Association of Ireland responds to Ian Foster’s inaccurate comments about the FAI
The FAI today (Tuesday, July 13th) confirmed that it will refer Ian Foster’s claims in today’s newspapers to the DCU (Disciplinary Control Unit).
Like all clubs involved in European competition, the FAI has assisted Dundalk on several issues this year, including assistance to get Ian Foster on a UEFA Pro License course and helping to ensure that Oriel Park met the UEFA licensing requirements. The FAI is also helping the club to register Steven Lennon from Glasgow Rangers and he will be available for the Europa League tie on Thursday.
1) In relation to Dundalk’s game on Sunday against Shamrock Rovers, the FAI only received the contract today (Tuesday), without which it would be impossible to get an international transfer certificate from the Scottish FA.
2) The club and the FAI have been working very closely together in order to complete the registration process promptly and ahead of time so that the player can be available for selection at Thursday’s Europa League game. In order to do this the FAI have been in close contact with club officials Paul Johnson, Maeve McQuillan and Colm Crossan since Friday and over the weekend and we were thanked in writing for the assistance provided over the weekend by the club yesterday morning.
3) The FAI has already informed the club that there will be no issue with the player being available for selection for the club’s Europa League game on Thursday.
4) The reason why the FAI accompanies certain clubs to European competition is to ensure that all UEFA rules are met and to avoid monetary sanctions. The FAI will also be assisting Sporting Fingal, who have never played in Europe, and Shamrock Rovers, who like Dundalk FC have not been in European competition for some time. This is at a cost to the Association and is to advise and support the clubs.
Speaking today, Fran Gavin, Director of the Airtricity League, said:
“Ian Foster has already been reprimanded by his own club this season for making silly remarks without being fully acquainted with the facts. Today’s comments will now be referred to the Disciplinary Control Unit. As a club manager in his second season, he should be aware of what is required at a club operating at Dundalk’s level. He has mobile numbers for me and my colleagues and has contacted us on numerous occasions in the past, out of hours and we have always been happy to assist. The pressures of club management can not excuse such repeated, inaccurate and irresponsible claims.”