What the FAI thinks of progressive clubs:

**MariborKev** · 16/05/2010, 10:11 PM

The answer to 5 is yes: Brazil, Argentina and plenty of the other South American sides.

However I agree that it poses more questions than answers.

**Jofspring** · 16/05/2010, 10:14 PM

8. Have all clubs been previously informed of the stipulations of holding a friendly game re these agreements?

9. If not what are the stipulations?

**CSFShels** · 16/05/2010, 10:20 PM

By the looks of things, they're saying, only they can host big friendlies in this country.

**MariborKev** · 16/05/2010, 10:29 PM

Anyone got a copy of the participation agreement handy? I'd love to see where that is outlined......

**Alf Honn** · 16/05/2010, 10:31 PM

Sat May 15:
From Limerick FC: "Finally, Limerick FC re-affirm their commitment to playing in Thomond Park on 31st July and FC Barcelona is awaiting final approval from the FAI to continue with this potential game. Both clubs are calling on the FAI to sanction the game for the good of Irish football, Limerick FC, Limerick City and entire Mid-West region.

Sun May 16:
John Delaney: 'We also got correspondence from Barcelona last week saying they had not agreed to the game in Limerick at this stage. I don't believe Barcelona have agreed to it."

Delaney is calling Limerick FC liars. And Barcelona too if Limerick's statement is accurate.

This is getting dirty. However, if Delaney is bluffing, his job is untenable.

**corkharps** · 16/05/2010, 11:10 PM

I know its a silly point,but couldn't the IFA legally sanction the game? Also did Noel Mooney and Pauric Smith meet with Limerick on Thursday or not(as stated by JD on radio this morning)?

**Jicked** · 16/05/2010, 11:13 PM

Originally Posted by Alf Honn

This is getting dirty. However, if Delaney is bluffing, his job is untenable.

Haha, that's the funniest one yet. JD untenable?? More like he'll only give himself a 4 year new contract instead of 5.

**Jofspring** · 16/05/2010, 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by Alf Honn

Sat May 15:
From Limerick FC: "Finally, Limerick FC re-affirm their commitment to playing in Thomond Park on 31st July and FC Barcelona is awaiting final approval from the FAI to continue with this potential game. Both clubs are calling on the FAI to sanction the game for the good of Irish football, Limerick FC, Limerick City and entire Mid-West region.

Sun May 16:
John Delaney: 'We also got correspondence from Barcelona last week saying they had not agreed to the game in Limerick at this stage. I don't believe Barcelona have agreed to it."

Delaney is calling Limerick FC liars. And Barcelona too if Limerick's statement is accurate.

This is getting dirty. However, if Delaney is bluffing, his job is untenable.

First of all he says last week Barcelona as far as he knew hadn't agreed to it which could be right as they might have agreed later in the week after the FAI had talked to them, but the second part he is blatantly calling Limerick liars and as you say if Limericks statement is correct, which i have no doubt, then he is calling Barcelona liars too. What we need is somebody in the media with some bit of knowledge of the situation to ask Delaney the questions. He needs to answer them and not let this just be brushed under the carpet.

**Lim till i die** · 16/05/2010, 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by corkharps

did Noel Mooney and Pauric Smith meet with Limerick on Thursday or not(as stated by JD on radio this morning)?

No...

**Lim till i die** · 16/05/2010, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by Alf Honn

Sun May 16:
John Delaney: 'We also got correspondence from Barcelona last week saying they had not agreed to the game in Limerick at this stage. I don't believe Barcelona have agreed to it."

To me this is just bizare.

Like, why would Limerick FC lie about it?!?!

**gael353** · 16/05/2010, 11:36 PM

Originally Posted by Alf Honn

Sun May 16:
John Delaney: 'We also got correspondence from Barcelona last week saying they had not agreed to the game in Limerick at this stage. I don't believe Barcelona have agreed to it."
.

nice one John

**gael353** · 16/05/2010, 11:38 PM

Originally Posted by corkharps

I know its a silly point,but couldn't the IFA legally sanction the game? Also did Noel Mooney and Pauric Smith meet with Limerick on Thursday or not(as stated by JD on radio this morning)?

Mooney is from limerick, but hasnt been down in some time and smith might have been down around the time of seasons budgets and pushing vantage club tickets on the club but nothing of late

**Dodge** · 16/05/2010, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by Lim till i die

To me this is just bizare.

Like, why would Limerick FC lie about it?!?!

To force the FAI's hand.

I'm not saying they have done, but it should be easy enough to prove either way.

**Lim till i die** · 16/05/2010, 11:44 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

To force the FAI's hand.

Into giving Limerick permission to play a friendly they had no confirmation of though

**fieldofmarkets** · 16/05/2010, 11:44 PM

Just listened to that interview. I'm blown away. He calls Limerick liars, naive, in poor taste, bringing the game into disripute.....oh and Limerick said they were ok with the refusal last week...holy cow. Regardless of him not doing everything humanly possible to get the game go ahead...is any of that acceptable from the man in charge of the game and league? This guy has to go.

Would like to see him go on a sportshow and deal with questions.

He managed to mention manchester united plenty of times.

**Dodge** · 16/05/2010, 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by Lim till i die

Into giving Limerick permission to play a friendly they had no confirmation of though

Presumably FAI permission would also make it easier for Barcelona and whatever crowd was organising it to finalse the deal

**Alf Honn** · 16/05/2010, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by fieldofmarkets

Just listened to that interview. I'm blown away. He calls Limerick liars, naive, in poor taste, bringing the game into disripute.....oh and Limerick said they were ok with the refusal last week...holy cow. Regardless of him not doing everything humanly possible to get the game go ahead...is any of that acceptable from the man in charge of the game and league? This guy has to go.

Would like to see him go on a sportshow and deal with questions.

He managed to mention manchester united plenty of times.

...and most cynically of all - "Sure you can watch Messi playing for Argentina on Aug 11 in Aviva (anyway)".

Sure what would he care about a four-hour round-trip to/from his shrine for Limerick people. This man's arrogance knows no bounds.

**Lim till i die** · 17/05/2010, 12:03 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Presumably FAI permission would also make it easier for Barcelona and whatever crowd was organising it to finalse the deal

Well the game can't be finalised without sanction anyway??

Just listening there....... wow.

**fieldofmarkets** · 17/05/2010, 12:05 AM

That was pretty bad.....but I suppose those who can't make it up there can make do with watching Messi playing in the world cup on tv anyway. So no-one should be bothered really. He even sounds like a horrible smug ar****le.

**MariborKev** · 17/05/2010, 12:06 AM

I hope that a few of the journos that read this board pick up on the points made, sure the story is already written for ye. However they face the prospect of a North Korean like exile if they dare to be too critical.