Doubts over Premier permits for Rovers, St Patrick's

Soccer UEFA Licencing Scheme: With Eircom League clubs due to receive official confirmation this morning of whether their applications for UEFA licences have been approved, there were reports last night that two big Dublin clubs, Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic, had failed in their attempts to obtain Premier division permits.

None of the clubs contacted by The Irish Times yesterday had received any indication from the FAI as to whether their applications had been successful, but there were persistent rumours that the two Dublin outfits had run into problems on the basis of the scheme's financial criteria.

Under that aspect of the programme, clubs are required to file audited accounts, a tax clearance certificate and satisfy a range of other requirements in relation to their debts and, in particular, their financial standing with other parties "within football".

Although it is not clear on which particular points the clubs may have run into difficulty, both had well publicised financial difficulties last year. Their fate would have depended, to some extent, on the date their financial years ended.

Senior St Patrick's Athletic officials could not be contacted yesterday, but Rovers chairman Tony Maguire insisted it would come as a major surprise and "huge disappointment" if it were confirmed they have failed to obtain a licence.

"It would be completely unexpected," he said. "All I can say is that this year's application was 20 times better than last year's and we were very optimistic about the process."

Clubs which fail at this stage of the scheme are entitled to appeal the decision. Last year only Derry City was initially granted a Premier division licence, leading to a chaotic period when it was unclear whether the league would be able to proceed with its two-tier structure for the season.

Subsequent appeals led to all but Rovers and Limerick being granted either A or B licences, and even they were eventually given the required documentation as the FAI effectively parked the scheme in an effort to avoid a humiliating crisis within the league.

Last year, however, almost all of the major problems encountered were in relation to infrastructure, an area that has since been significantly relaxed with clubs now having to provide plans and commitments in relation to the improvements they intend to make during the next three to five years.

At the same time, the financial and legal obligations of the clubs have become more demanding under the scheme, something that was always expected to cause some of those seeking licences difficulties. Making ends meet for most is a struggle, and in recent years just about all of the 22 clubs would have found themselves with serious problems at one stage or another.

If it is confirmed this morning that Rovers and St Patrick's have missed out, it will cause discomfort both within Merrion Square and the respective clubs.

In the light of some widely queried appeal decisions last year followed, eventually, by a very public climbdown over the entire issue, the association needs to restore the credibility of the much-heralded scheme amongst the public.

Former Derry City midfielder, Paul Hegarty, meanwhile, has returned to the Brandywell as assistant to manager Stephen O'Brien. Hegarty won both league and cup honours with the club.