Fran Rooney's future as chief executive of the FAI is no clearer following a meeting of the association's board of management today.
Rooney's 18-month tenure is believed to be under threat, with board members today discussing a letter sent from some FAI staff members to the association's president, Milo Corcoran, that was critical of Rooney's style of management.
However, the FAI today refused to disclose details of the meeting, merely issuing a statement on behalf of Corcoran, which read: "A meeting of the board of the Football Association of Ireland took place today to consider an issue in relation to the chief executive officer, Mr Fran Rooney. The board is taking further legal advice on the matter and will meet again as soon as possible. No further statement will be issued at this time."
Indeed, is not even known where today's meeting took place. Journalists had anticipated that the meeting would take place at the City West Hotel in Saggart, Co Dublin, however, the scheduled 12 noon start time passed without any sign of any FAI officials at the venue.
It's understood that some staff at Merrion Square believe that, under Rooney, the FAI has developed strained relations with the Government, the IRFU and the Irish Sports Council.
The Sports Council's chief executive, John Treacy, has threatened to withhold €300,000 in funding should the FAI fail to use open competition to fill four new executive positions, as recommended in the Genesis report - published in the wake of the Republic of Ireland's 2002 World Cup campaign.
Rooney favours the internal and external advertising for the new posts, including that of director of finance, however, he claims not all members of the board are of the same mind.
FAI treasurer John Delaney, Rooney's former ally, favours the promotion of Peter Buckley, currently an accountant with the association, to the director of finance role.
In a statement after the meeting, Rooney said: “I will continue to give 100%commitment to performing my duties as the Chief Executive Officer of the FAI, including the implementation of the recommendations in the Genesis report. As the board is seeking further legal advice, it would be inappropriate for me to make any further comment.”
