BRIAN KERR HAS voiced his frustration at the “strategic planning” grant of €5,000 to be paid to each League of Ireland club by the FAI.
The former Ireland manager appeared on RTÉ’s Soccer Republic on Monday night alongside the FAI’s Director of Competitions Fran Gavin.
Gavin explained to Tony O’Donoghue the reasoning behind the grant of €100,000 to be split between the league’s 20 clubs, an offer that has been turned down by St. Patrick’s Athletic and Derry City.
He said that each club should develop a “strategic plan” which will cost them “anything from around €3,000 upwards.”
Gavin added: ”We at the moment are talking to companies who specialise in the area of strategic planning. We will be giving clubs by the end of this week notification of several companies that can assist them.”
Kerr reacted strongly to the notion of a strategic plan, questioning whether the association would be better off putting the money back into the league.
“Surely the €100,000 (combined FAI funding for the plan) should be put to promote the league, develop the commercial side and develop the profile of the league,” he said.
“Your role (Gavin’s) as director of the league is no longer director of the league – you’re involved in the cup competitions on all levels. We don’t have any dedicated people involved in running the league.”
The 63-year-old, who also managed Drogheda and St. Pat’s in the past, was seething when he spoke about the poor standard of facilities across the country.
“The frustrations levels across the league are remarkable - I’m talking about the facilities, the facilities for female supporters, the pitches, the dressing rooms are desperate,” he added.
“All around the country there are ferociously bad facilities and nothing has been done about it for years and years.
“Talking about strategic planning now for five years is a load of bunkum. The 100k is a pittance in terms of the money the FAI are getting in. Where is the leadership in the FAI in relation to the league?”
“They (FAI) are all a fuss about Dundalk this week. Why wasn’t there all this fuss about the league before the season started?”
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