FAI chief executive Bernard O'Byrne looks set to retire from his post following a lengthy Board of Managment meeting at Merrion Square. The Board spent most of today in talks with O'Byrne over his future after an investigation by the assocation's financial sub-committee alleged he is guilty of a number of financial irregularities. The sub-committee findings claim that O'Byrne mis-used a company credit card on a number of occasions during his four-and-a-half years in office. O'Byrne has vigorously denied any impropriety regarding the use of the credit card but has admitted to a number of clerical errors.
It is understood the officers of the association met privately with O'Byrne before the board of management meeting and asked him to consider his position. Following the conclusion of today's meeting, O'Byrne left the FAI headquarters through the backdoor to avoid the waiting press.
A statement released this evening by the FAI revealed that the officers of the assocation had taken legal advice regarding the contents of the report and that O'Byrne himself sought legal advice before he requested that the assocation discuss a confidential voluntary retirement package with him over the coming days. According to the statement "the Board discussed the matter at some length and agreed by an overwhelming majority to authorise the officers to negotiate such a package". It is expected that the matter will be resolved by May 1, when the FAI will advertise for a new chief executive.
Afterwards, FAI President Pat Quigley paid tribute to the work carried out by O'Byrne during his tenure as chief executive. "He has brought a lot of good things into the association. He streamlined the organisation, set up many different committees, brought in the post of regional development officer. We've had huge success at underage football and of course the immense effort he put into trying to bring eircom Park to fruition. I think over the last two years he's spent possibly 14 to 16 hours a day working on that, seven days a week, trying to get a home of our own."
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
