FAI invited to 'emergency meeting' of Oireachtas Sports Committee

The FAI is being invited to an emergency meeting of the Oireachtas Sport Committee on Wednesday.

It comes in the wake of the publication of the association's accounts last week.

The accounts revealed that the association's liabilities stand at over €55 million.

Oireachtas Sports Committee chair Fergus O'Dowd said he will invite the FAI, Sports Minister Shane Ross and Sports Ireland to an emergency meeting this week:

Meanwhile, Minister Ross on Sunday evening committed to supporting grassroots football, despite the ongoing freezing of FAI funds.

In a statement, he said: "As repeatedly stated, funding to the FAI cannot be restored until they have completed a massive overhaul of their corporate governance and their leadership. However, I am committed to ensuring that players around the country do not suffer.

"Earlier this week, I announced an alternative mechanism to ensure funding of €195,000 could be restored to our women’s national team.

"We are now at an advanced stage of ensuring over €2 million can be channeled through an intermediary to fund our community based development officers and their programmes."

Minister Ross added: "This will ensure grassroot football continues to be supported regardless on of our ongoing issues with the FAI."

The FAI insisted on Sunday evening that its board remains available to meet with Minister Ross and the Sports Committee.

Main image: A general view of the Football Association of Ireland Offices at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile