FAI officers to face no confidence motions

IN WHAT could prove to be a pivotal day in the FAI saga, motions of no confidence in each of the FAI's five officers were tabled by the Schoolboys FAI and Bohemians last night in time for Friday week's senior council meeting.

Meanwhile, the association's senior vice president, Pat Quigley, has publicly distanced himself from his fellow officers.

The besieged officer board negotiated another lengthy executive meeting (lasting well over four hours) in which everyone present contributed to a debate surrounding the recent spate of controversies, without revealing much.

The media was cited as the prime villains in the saga, and the promise of an external investigation into the FAI's ticket management by the chartered accountants Bastow and Charleton (with an interim report focusing on US 94 to be presented at the crucial March 8th senior council meeting) helped to delay most of the pertinent answers which the executive members wanted to hear.

Joe Delaney did not shed significantly more information on his admission last Friday that he had personally met a shortfall of £110,000 arising from the FAI's ticket management at the US 94 World Cup finals, though he did apologise for previously withholding this information from the executive and senior councils.

Significantly though, Quigley had earlier criticised Delaney for withholding information about his personal repayment of money outstanding to the FAI. It is the first public response by any of Delaney's fellow officers on the issue.

While aware of the bartering which took place during major tournaments, Quigley said: "I was never at any stage aware that such outstanding monies were owed to the FAI. I am sorry that Mr Delaney did not come to council and let people know. That was obviously a mistake by him."

Neither the FAI president, Louis Kilcoyne. nor the honorary secretary, Des Casey. have been available for comment since last Friday evening while National League president Michael Hyland has declined to.

Quigley, next in line to succeed Kilcoyne either in 1997 or 1998 is also the first officer to welcome the decision by the acting secretary. Brendan Menton, to conduct an external inquiry into the FAI's ticket management policy at US 94 and in general.

"The investigation is needed to restore some degree of public confidence and show transparency in our business dealings. The organisation can only benefit from the report and recommendations of the inquiry."

Quigley admitted he had thought about his own position in light of the recent controversies afflicting the FAI: "But I feel, as I was elected by council, I should leave it in the hands of the council members to make the decision on my future. I also believe it should be council's decision to take whatever action they deem necessary over the situation which has developed over the monies which have been paid back."

As it is, Quigley seems to derive more sympathy amongst council members than any of his fellow officers. Elected vice president less than two years ago, he is a comparative newcomer to the officer board.

. Ajax beat Real Zaragoza 4-0 last night to win the European Super Cup and complete a rare treble success as they are already holders of the European Cup and World Club Cup.

The goals came through Winston Bogarde after 41 minutes, Finidi George (53) and penalties from Danny Blind (66 and 69).

The game burst into life five minutes before the break, with Ajax winning a penalty after some frenzied jostling in the Zaragoza area. Frank de Boer, who moments before had been booked which keeps him out of next week's European Cup quarter final against Borussia Dortmund, saw his left foot effort palmed away by Andoni Cedrun. From the resulting corner Bogarde opened the scoring, forcing home a rebound after his point blank header had been blocked.

After 53 minutes Bogarde advanced unhindered down the left, Cedrun flapped at his cross and allowed Nwankwo Kanu to set up fellow Nigerian George to slot home the second goal.

Cedrun brought down Michael Reiziger in the 66th minute and received his marching orders. Skipper Blind made no mistake from the spot and was back again three minutes later to make it 4-0 after Oscar fouled Kant at the end of a mazy run.