LEAGUE OF IRELAND champions Dundalk have moved to assure their supporters, sponsors and players after newspaper reports suggested there was an ongoing financial dispute with the club’s former owner.
A report in today’s Irish Times said the league and FAI Cup champions face the prospect of not having their Premier Division licence renewed by the Football Association of Ireland over the matter.
The association’s SSE Airtricity League licensing process requires applicants to have a home ground for all league games for the entire season.
However, Dundalk’s former owner Gerry Matthews has, according to reports, written to the FAI outlining that the Lilywhites aren’t able to guarantee they have access to Oriel Park for the duration of the 2016 campaign.
Matthews retained the lease for the County Louth stadium when he left the club in 2012 and has now taken action in an attempt to recoup some of the investment he made during his time at the helm.
But in a strongly worded statement released this evening, Dundalk have denied the claims and insist they do not have a long-standing financial dispute with Matthews.
“Dundalk Football Club fully understands that today’s article in the Irish Times will have caused a lot of distress for our supporters, sponsors and players,” it read.
“Dundalk FC have been successful every year in our application for a Premier License since the takeover was completed in 2013. We have followed a similar process this year as in previous years and will continue to work with the FAI’s Licensing Department and our legal advisors to clarify any issues that may have emerged by the former owner of Dundalk FC’s attempt to interfere with the licensing process.
“Dundalk FC have signed documentation outlining the agreements made with Mr. Matthews at the time of the transfer of ownership. These documents include the transfer of the license from his company to the new ownership and also provide the terms of the takeover of all football activities in Oriel Park.
“It is our view, and those of our advisors, that these agreements ended Mr. Matthews influence and involvement in any licensing requirements for Dundalk FC in subsequent licensing applications.
“Dundalk Football Club does not have any long-standing financial dispute with Mr. Matthews. This is not the first time that Mr. Matthews has stated publically that he is owed money by Dundalk Football Club. However, this accusation is completely false.
“The new owners paid Mr. Matthews debts at the time of the takeover and rescued the club from going out of existence. There was never, ever, any agreement that would provide for any additional payments to be made to Mr. Matthews.
“Therefore, we consider it very important that all of our supporters know that we do not owe Mr. Matthews any money and that we have adhered to all of the agreements made with him at the time of the transfer of ownership.”
The statement then goes on to clarify the position regarding the ownership of Oriel Park. The 4,500 seater ground is owned by former FAI president Des Casey and his family.
“Our position with the lease is straightforward. We are not engaged in a legal dispute with Mr. Matthews over the lease. The owner of the ground, Mr. Des Casey, has brought an eviction order against Mr. Matthews that, since mediation has failed, is now active once again.
“Dundalk FC have paid the terms of the lease to Mr. Casey in full since August 2012 as per the agreement to transfer all football activities to the new company. The fact that we do not possess the lease is preventing Dundalk FC from investing in stadium infrastructure but, in our view, does not prevent us applying for a Premier License in the same manner as in previous years.
“Dundalk FC will continue to seek legal advice and work with the FAI to bring this matter to a conclusion. Our only desire since the takeover has been to provide our community with a football club they can be proud of – we do not anticipate recent events to interfere with our objectives.”
Stephen Kenny’s side begin their campaign away at Bray Wanderers on 5 March and play their first home game against Finn Harps on 11 March.
