Raising standards

NATIONAL LEAGUE/Licensing scheme: The FAI has initiated a three month consultation process with Eircom League clubs in relation to UEFA's licensing system which is due to become operational over the course of next season.

Under the scheme clubs will have to meet certain standards in areas such as ground safety, spectator facilities, coaching and financial matters before they are granted a license. Failure to meet the required criteria will, by the start of 2004/05 season in mainland Europe prohibit a club from competing in UEFA's various competitions.

The finer detail of the project, which was the subject of a presentation to clubs here by UEFA's Marcel Binz on Monday, has yet to be worked out as the FAI will have some leeway to adapt the European requirements to suit its needs but the new regulations, which will begin to be implemented next year, are still certain to have a dramatic effect on the way the country's senior clubs are administered.

"It will involve change," said FAI General Secretary Brendan Menton yesterday, "but there is nothing in all of this that is insurmountable.

"It will take a bit of getting used to in some cases and that is why we are trying to get started with the process now, but eventually everyone is going to have to comply with this and so it's a question really of how well people work with us to ensure that it goes as smoothly as possible."

A pilot scheme involving Cobh Ramblers and Drogheda United has been under way for several months already and Menton said that his impression was that it had gone fairly well. "I don't think either of the clubs would achieve all of the criteria at this stage but then that is what we are at for the moment."

Despite some progress, however, there is certain to be some concern at the levels of financial transparency required. By the end of 2004 clubs are required to submit their audited accounts for approval and prove that they do not owe any wages or tax and the level of detail required by the FAI, which administer the scheme here on behalf of UEFA, will steadily increase over the following few seasons.