THE ISSUE of Wimbledon's relocation to Dublin rumbled on some more yesterday. The FAI, maintaining its steadfast opposition to the scheme, solicited support from FIFA and expressed itself pleased with the tenor of apparent supportive replies from UEFA, the English FA and the Premier League.

However, a spokesperson for the consortium behind the projected takeover of Wimbledon maintained the deal was still very much on. Meanwhile, the Dublin and District Schoolboys League came out in support of the proposal.

In contrast to its previously reactive, or even inactive stance, the FAI has become noticeably more pro active regarding this whole issue since Bernard O'Byrne assumed the full time post of chief executive and confirming that it had received interim replies from the relevant, aforementioned football bodies re `The Wimbledon Thing'.

An FAI statement yesterday declared it had the full backing of the world governing body: "FIFA has expressed its opposition in principle to the concept and will fully support the FAI's stance."

The statement added: "UEFA intend that it's reply will be uniform with FIFA's stance and will contact the FAI more definitively in the near future." In addition, the FAI statement said: "The English Football Association will submit our letter to the next meeting of it's Executive Committee (October 1st) and will reply shortly thereafter. They state that the issue has not been raised with them by Wimbledon to date."

However, the English FA will merely ratify whatever decision is taken by the English Premiership club chairmen. More pertinent therefore, will be the latter's attitude and indeed the unity and manner of opposition to the proposal within the 22 National league clubs and the 50 member FAI Senior Council. This presumes that in the interests of the official "footballing family" the English chairman could be dissuaded from ratifying the relocation proposal by their Irish brethren.

Here, the statement was a little more nebulous: "The English FA Premier League replied that its rules state that the jurisdiction of the Premier League is England and Wales, and that any alterations to that would require a rule change at one of its general meetings. They have had no approach, formal or informal, for such a rule change and therefore have no need to have a policy on this matter."

In conclusion, the FAI stated that it "is very pleased with the tenor of these replies and has undertaken to keep the four organisations fully updated on the matter." O'Byrne has scheduled further meetings "with senior personnel in those bodies" to emphasise the FAI's "continuing total objection to any such proposed relocation into its jurisdiction."

In response to all of that, a consortium spokesperson observed that the English Premier League were merely "kicking to touch" and declared that "a huge dramatic development is due in the next two weeks'.

"The position is considerably strengthened and is strengthening all the time in terms of putting together the various things. The deal itself is completed and it's just a matter now of a formal creation of a new partnership, and that will be completed late next week. At that stage the partnership will go and make formal representations."

As things stand the consortium spokesperson claims that "20 of the 22 National League clubs" are willing to agree a deal which would facilitate Wimbledon's relocation to Ireland, whereby they would compete in the English Premiership under the name "Dublin Dons."

Alas, the Wimbledon chairman and owner Sam Hammam, angered by the ongoing publicity surrounding this proposal, declined to comment yesterday, again referring to his programme notes of 10 days ago for the Wimbledon Spurs game, in which he re iterated that his club's priority is to remain in south London.

To that end, Merton Council have sanctioned Sainsbury's proposed £12 million purchase of the club's old grounds in Plough Lane for a modified supermarket development. On foot of that, Merton Council have conducted a feasibility study into the possibility of Wimbledon FC relocating to the Wimbledon greyhound stadium.

This would entail a £7-8 million investment from Wimbledon FC. Taking Hammam's programme notes at face value, this would appear to be his favoured option but then again there are likely to be further developments in this on running saga.