The suspension tool often relates to government intervention in national associations.
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So....let's petition the government. It does after all involve the people of Ireland who are being deprived of an opportunity to see the best players in the world play in Limerick by a near tyrannical despot who runs the organisation. It certainly is in the economic interest of the mid-west region and in the national interest of the development of the game, which is partly funded by government grant money.
OK I've thought about this a bit so I've finalised my theory on it.
1) Limerick, through an agency, agreed to play Barcelona in Thomand Park.
2) The League refused on the basis that there were other LOI games that night
3) Limerick went to media to complain
3) League said it was because of a) other games b) they were looking to bring Barca over themselves and c) the mysterious "3rd party agreement"
4) Limerick complained some more. Media cited friendlies played only last year that clashed with league fixtures
5) League said the agreement covered friendlies over 20,000 attendees.
6) Clubs and media said "huh?"
7) League said agreement actually covers crowds of 15,000+ but their friendly v Man Utd is not covered by agreement.
8) League adds that a reason why the game wasn't sanctioned was that it would benefit only one club. Then lists several friendlies that only involved one club including some organised by 3rd parties)
9) Limerick, along with other clubs, state they have never heard of such agreement
10) All hell breaks loose
We know some things.
1) The FAI clain to have signed an agreement with a 3rd party relating to friendly games.
2) The clubs in the league were never informed of such an agreement
3) The FAI has refused to name the 3rd party
4) The FAI is in financial ****s due to Aviva
5) The FAI wanted to host Barcelona in the Aviva stadium
Some reasons the FAI list for the refusal can be easily dismissed
1) Clash with league fixtures. The friendlies last year did (Waterford v Ipswich for example).
2) Only benefits one team. All friendlies granted in that last 10 years have been similar.
3) FAI won't allow other 3rd parties involved. In the last 3 years Platinum One have organised friendlies for Pats and Rovers.
4) FAI won't allow games played on non FAI pitches. Cup Final was played in the RDS in 2008 and Pats v Hertha/Steaua likewise. Tallaght is of course a municipal stadium too.
The only possible answer is that the FAI need the Aviva Stadium to host every game that could possibly make any substantial money and rather than be truthful with Limerick, they thought they'd fob them off with the "clash" excuse. When Limerick cried foul, the FAI were genuinely shocked and went into a tailspin spewing out several different possible excuses, hoping one would be accepted by clubs and media. If it was simply a case of a legally binding contract (which didn't affect LOI v Man U), then they'd have no problem at all in producing it for the clubs. Particularly as the clause in the league's participation allows the FAI to sign commercial contracts "for the good" of football here (and they have no bother in announcing other positive commercial agreements). The only query is whether such an agreement exists at all
Now granted this post is a long winded way of saying what I thought when the story first broke (FAI were being greedy swines) but can anyone think of something I've missed or a reaosn why my theory is wrong?
Last edited by Dodge; 18/05/2010 at 2:23 PM.
54,321 sold - wws will never die - ***
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The only difference in my thinking is that I'm far from than convinced that any third-party agreement exists at all. I'd say it's more likely that it is another of the excuses coughed up by the FAI as a response to their other reasons being discredited. It basically means that Thomond is ruled out, and therefore any friendly generating the kind of revenue worth something to the FAI will be at the Aviva.
As i said previously, Limerick have gone legal on this, and I'd expect a legal request for the third-party agreement to be made soon enough (I should state that I have absolutely no connection or position with Limerick FC, and all of this is just speculation on my part - as in, that's what I'd do if I were the solicitor - get the agreement out in the open, and start hounding the agent, whoever they are (presumably Kentaro)).
Last edited by osarusan; 18/05/2010 at 2:30 PM.
Not to mention Ireland v South Africa in Thomond last year.Originally Posted by Dodge
I think your logic is broadly correct alright. That said, it wouldn't surprise me if the FAI agreed to the friendly in principle and were then told by this third party that it contravened their agreement, unbenownst to the FAI. When this was pointed out, the FAI realised they'd screwed up and are now in a very embarrassing situation, so they try and fob it off with strong-handed nonsense excuses in the hope that no-one complained. The FAI strike me as the kind who'd find it very hard to put their hands up and say "We messed up here, sorry".
dodge you have far to much time on your hands...unless of course you work for a local authority, then its a proper use of your time
I wish i did not know then what I dont know now
Bang on the money summation there Dodge
"Your guilty conscience may move you to vote Democratic, but deep down you long for a cold-hearted Republican to lower taxes, brutalize criminals, and rule you like a king"
Sideshow Bob
Anybody else think one lie by the FAI is just one too many? (not to mind the numerous ones they seem to have been spurting out)
I also remain to be convinced, as there can surely be no legitimate reason for not showing this contract to FAI member clubs if it does exist.
If you attack me with stupidity, I'll be forced to defend myself with sarcasm.
I think it has got the to stage, if the FAI grant the game, they look fools and if they continue to not sanction it, they look fools aswell. They are in a real mess at the moment.
I have a question pertaining to the Sunderland friendly at Thomond Park. The FAI say that it was allowed because it was a charitable event, but it involves neither the national team or a LOI team so what business is of the FAI?
If 10 mates and I invite Milan over for a kick about in front of 15,001 of our nearest and dearest friends who we are charging to get in for our own monetary gain, will the FAI step in?
"Your guilty conscience may move you to vote Democratic, but deep down you long for a cold-hearted Republican to lower taxes, brutalize criminals, and rule you like a king"
Sideshow Bob
Also, is Limerick FC a charitable body? (I know UCD AFC is, but that may be due to college links). If so, then this game is technically for charity too.
Just re-watched it and he said,
Celebrating 130 Years of Athlone Town Football Club - Pride of the Midlands Since 1887
sorry, too soon?
I like high energy football. A little bit rock and roll. Many finishes instead of waiting for the perfect one.
I agree with you that there'd be very little benefit to the domestic game in either case. From a personal point of view, I'd rather see Barcelona face stronger opposition in a larger-capacity venue.
You don't think a game played in front of 50,000 in a venue co-owned by the FAI would bring in more money than one in front of ~25,000 at a venue Irish football has no stake in? I have to say I disagree."I don't really know enough to comment but nevertheless am going to make sweeping assumptions about the financial arrangements"
My bad, the IRFU.
Not that date, but I'd be surprised if Barcelona would visit Ireland twice.
In any case, it certainly looks like the FAI is looking after itself at the expense of a club.
yes, and rightly so. All games played by professional require tha sanction of the country's governing body. Doesn't matter if its Limerick hurler v Barca or Pats v Clliftonville. If Limerick were to play barca in the Nou Camp it'd need the consent of the Spanish FA (insurance, refs etc etc). Its usually just a tick the box type thing, and in my memory no game has ever been refused.
osarusa, sorry if I didn't make it clear enough. I too very much doubt the existence of such an agreement.
54,321 sold - wws will never die - ***
---
New blog if anyone's interested - http://loihistory.wordpress.com/
LOI section on balls.ie - http://balls.ie/league-of-ireland/
Don't think it is the IRFU either, well to a certain extent not the IRFU anyway. I am a ten year ticket holder in Thomond Park and they made a point at the time of opening of saying "Thomond Park Stadium" is its own company that will be looking to not only host Rugby but also Football, Concerts, Wedding Receptions, Private Functions, to raise money to pay for the stadium. It is in Thomond Park Stadiums interests to get this game played also. This is where the FAI holding all the cards and making sure all the big games are held in the AVIVA would affect "Thomond Park Stadium" the company and bring the competition act ive seen mentioned here already into play.
And if the Dublin footballers play Kerry infront of 84000 at Croke Park it will bring in even more money.
If The Rolling Stones play Hyde Park in London, it will bring in even more money again.
What in the name of God is your point man??
You basically said you didn't know enough to comment then went out to spout a load of rubbish about Munster Rugby making all the money. That's all.
Anyway, where do you think the moneys going if Oireland ever play Barca in the Aviva?? Are we all going to get shiny new stands out of it??
John Delaney earns more than Limerick FC's squad FFS.
That would make sense - from what I can gather Thomond Park Stadium Company Limited (awful name) is a 50/50 partnership between Munster Rugby and the IRFU, but the IRFU obviously calls the shots.
You're right that the FAI hold the cards, but were they to sanction a game in Limerick, there'd be no option other than to have it in Thomond, so the Thomond company would be able to drive a really hard bargain. Maybe they would be more receptive than I give them credit for, but they have to look after their own interests and Limerick would definitely need them more than they'd need Limerick FC.
You're the one who questioned my take on the finances. I'm just saying the net financial gain from having a game at the Aviva is greater than having it at Thomond. Fairly basic point.
I don't know enough about the exact contractual details to comment on the exact contractual details. I do know that playing a game in the Aviva is going to bring more money to Irish football than playing it in Thomond.You basically said you didn't know enough to comment then went out to spout a load of rubbish about Munster Rugby making all the money. That's all.
Anyway, where do you think the moneys going if Oireland ever play Barca in the Aviva?? Are we all going to get shiny new stands out of it??
John Delaney earns more than Limerick FC's squad FFS.
Last edited by Charlie Darwin; 18/05/2010 at 3:35 PM.
The Financial Arrangements for this particular game. You know NOTHING about them. Zero. Zilch. Nada. You're just blindly speculating.
Define "Irish Football"I do know that playing a game in the Aviva is going to bring more money to Irish football than playing it in Thomond
Could mean anything from putting jacuzzis in Abbotstown to building a clubhouse for Ballymun United to paying off the FAI's Lansdowne debts*
*That last one is actually quite likely.
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