THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION of Ireland insist they are not waiting to receive Euro 2012 qualification prize money before settling a debt with Scottish counterparts.
An Irish Independent report today stated that FIFA had been called in by the Scottish FA in a bid to resolve a dispute over a €1.4million bill.
Ciaran O’Raghallaigh writes that the money is owed since the Carling Nations Cup was hosted at the Aviva Stadium and that the Scottish association’s chief executive was ‘unsuccessful’ in his bids to contact John Delaney.
The Scots, Northern Ireland, Wales and the hosts took part in the inaugural tournament in February and May, which was won by Giovanni Trapattoni’s men.
This morning, the FAI released a statement in reject the reports about a dispute with the SFA.
“The Football Association of Ireland, the Irish Football Association and the Football Association of Wales today responded to media claims about the Carling Nations Cup,” it reads.
“The tournament was established by the FAI, IFA, FAW and SFA in 2010 with costs and revenues to be shared and the Scottish FA getting a minimum fee requested for participation.
“The competition took place in Dublin in February and May this year and returned a profit derived from television rights, sponsorship and ticket sales.
“Following the tournament the FAI, the IFA and the FAW have been in negotiations with the Scottish FA seeking a downward adjustment of their fee to give a more equitable share of the profits to each of the competing associations based on the economic climate and ticket sales generated at the tournament. Claims made in the media about a lack of contact are incorrect as are claims that this issue is linked to UEFA EURO 2012 prize money.
“It is disappointing that this matter has come into the public arena while the four associations are still trying to reach agreement. The FAI, IFA and FAW will not be making any further comment to give proper space for those discussions to take place.”
Ireland’s qualification for Euro2012 will be a major boost to Abbotstown coffers as the association attempts to pay off it’s share in the Aviva Stadium.
Ireland will face champions Spain, Italy and Croatia in Poland next summer.
