Programme notes/ participation agreement ??

[pól-dcfc]

Cue the law students: "actually, I think you'll find that know-de-know-de-know-de-know-de-know..."

I think the posters above have got it right, that disclaimer is a bit of jiggery-pokery printed more in hope than expectation. The real legalese is in the agreement.
Each club has entered into a confidential participation agreement with the FAI, but there is a sample agreement knocking about somewhere (on the FAI website presumably) which has clauses in it regarding the proscription of critical content in anything public the club issues, including websites and match programmes, that content being criticism of the FAI, match officials, personnel from other clubs etc..

Actually, I think you'l find....

But really, libel law in the UK and Ireland is a total nightmare, and is a terrible infringement on freedom of speech, as it is just way too stringent. Look through some recent issues of Private Eye to see what I mean. People are bringing cases against books published by American companies, for the American market in English courts, because the book happens to be available here through amazon.

Obviously there has to be limits on what can be said about another person, but it's gone a wee bit to far.

PS John Delaney ate my hamster.

[thischarmingman]

PS John Delaney ate my hamster.

Allegedly.

See? it's easy to avoid being libellous.