What could/should the FAI do for the league?

[Charlie Darwin]

I can see this being abused by clubs at the bottom of the 1st Div.

If Athlone for example can't pay wages, they can just get money from the fund. If they're already adrift at the bottom of the 1st Division they won't really care if there's another points deduction. And if they don't pay it back there's no loss, because they can't be relegated because there's nowhere lower to go.

Those are just the automatic punishments. If a club doesn't pay the money back and applies for another license the next year, the FAI can say no, which I imagine is what would happen.

[pineapple stu]

When did the FAI last refuse a licence application in fairness?

[Longfordian]

Good question. Tom Coughlan’s Cork maybe?

[sbgawa]

When did the FAI last refuse a licence application in fairness?

difference this time would be that granting a licence would probably mean the FAI would be repeatedly burned going forward by clubs if they were seen to be able to get away with it. I could see the licence being refused this time around.

[Dalymountrower]

Good question. Tom Coughlan’s Cork maybe?

Wasn`t one of the Limericks refused a Licence?

With regard to the fund, it strikes me that PFAI missed a great opportunity to become indispensable to the FAI through their involvement in the fund and in return get formal union recognition as part of SIPTU as the recognised negotiating body for players. But that would mean that both PFAI and the FAI would have to put the megaphones aside and start behaving like adults, and they are both some distance away from doing that.

[sidewayspasser]

Extratime.ie and some others say that FD clubs who don't pay back will face another points deduction the following season. Whether starting the next season on -6 points will be enough to keep the likes of Athlone from exploiting the fund is another question.

[Mr A]

Starting a season with a points deduction is a pretty severe deterrent for any club. Whatever commercial and season ticket sales they'd have, their ability to get players in, not to mention the vital commodity that is the energy and enthusiasm of volunteers would all be affected.

[redobit]

Starting a season with a points deduction is a pretty severe deterrent for any club. Whatever commercial and season ticket sales they'd have, their ability to get players in, not to mention the vital commodity that is the energy and enthusiasm of volunteers would all be affected.

Is it though. It wont make a difference to teams who are going to be in around the bottom/ middle of FD. Some clubs might be all to happy to not pay back as a way of sending two fingers to the FAI.

[Mr A]

Yes, I believe it is. For the reasons outlined above. Running an LOI club in the first division is incredibly difficult. Doing so when any bit of hope and optimism is drained away before the season even starts is harder again.

[pineapple stu]

Possibly a bigger deterrent not yet mentioned is that borrowing money from the FAI and not giving it back would have you in their bad books. And that can't be a healthy place to be.

I can see this being like the FAI saying "Come on; steal our money. I ****ing dare you"

[Charlie Darwin]

When did the FAI last refuse a licence application in fairness?

GUST I think.

[Ashbohs]

Any way enough of the fund nonsense and slightly topic related this article well worth a read in the context of our league
http://www.markpitman1.com/2016/04/0...y-controversy/

[GUFCghost]

So is anyone in this thread in favour of the first division existing as is? (i.e a national league with senior teams)

What does the FAI contribute to the league as is?I understand the clubs must pay a registration fee,what is that money used for?