The controversy over the abject governance of Irish football is only that – gross mismanagement in sport. From this perspective, the announcement on Tuesday that the board of the FAI will step down by June is more significant than the potential departure of former chief executive John Delaney. What was remarkable about yesterday’s announcement was that less than 24 hours earlier the board had appeared ready to defy the imperative of removing John Delaney. The Government has one chance to influence the FAI’s future directionThe FAI board had been moulded to suit John Delaney, but so too were other organisational features of the FAI, and therein lies future risk. If the board’s resignation is followed by John Delaney’s, there will be cause for optimism.

Source: The Irish Times April 17, 2019 00:00 UTC