Latest news with #PaulCooke
Irish Examiner
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Full committee of Limerick football league 'stood down' by FAI
The FAI have suspended the entire Limerick District League committee while they launch an independent investigation into governance concerns. In an unprecedented move, the association said it would be inappropriate for the league to proceed with their upcoming AGM. It says that they and the Munster FA 'will be able to support the delivery of football under the jurisdiction of the LDL while the investigation takes place.' Governance in Limerick amateur football has been a talking point in recent years. Following contact by a cohort of LDL clubs, the FAI issued a list of 11 recommendations in 2021, including the introduction of term limits, rule book overhaul and the auditing of 2020's financial accounts. It is understood that the FAI's recent involvement stemmed from a complaint lodged protected by confidentiality. Multiple issues were raised when an FAI delegation met with the LDL in December but a standoff ensued until this latest nuclear development materialised on Thursday. 'The concerns raised vary in their nature,' wrote FAI President Paul Cooke in correspondence to the committee. 'Some relate to the processes, policies and practices of the League - both from the perspective of constitutional/administrative matters and also around the delivery of football - whilst others relate to the culture within the League and allegations of derogatory behaviour and inappropriate conduct from people involved at Committee level.' Reference was made to the state agency responsible for exchequer funding. 'Sport Ireland is aware of the concerns that have been raised and expects them to be addressed appropriately.' The letter added: 'Whilst this investigation is being established, we request that all League committee members step away from their committee duties with immediate effect (and this includes any other position that a committee member may hold under the jurisdiction of the FAI). Committee members, many of whom double their duties with the Limerick Schoolchildren's League which won the girls Gaynor Cup at University Limerick on Friday, have until Monday morning to provide written agreement with this directive.
Irish Examiner
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
FAI facing increased pressure to allow freedom to decide season format
The FAI is facing increasing pressure to ditch its summer season edict after the backlash from key affiliates intensified. Resistance to the directive of synchronising all levels of football with the League of Ireland format of February to October hasn't abated since it being passed by a narrow 57% margin of the association's general assembly in December. On the back of a failed attempt to link grant funding for the Gaynor and Kennedy Cups to compliance with the FAI's calendar season, meetings were held in Portlaoise with the two largest constituent bodies on Wednesday night. The Leinster Football Association had previously dismissed the ballot as 'flawed' and were on the brink of releasing a statement seeking freedom of choice among their leagues to remain in the traditional format of September to May. It's believed the statement was only paused due to an intervention from top FAI brass. Significantly, none of the FAI's staff who have been at the forefront pushing the change, were invited to the last-ditch talks – only President Paul Cooke and Vice-President John Finnegan. 'All members present voiced their concerns and opinions around calendar alignment and the issues it would cause in their respective leagues around the province,' the LFA wrote in correspondence to leagues, seen by the Irish Examiner. 'The FAI members present took on board the concerns and views of the LFA and made a commitment to bring those concerns back to the FAI Board.' The pair of elected FAI officers also met with their biggest affiliate, the Schoolboys/girls FAI, who in February pleaded with the FAI to reevaluate the compulsory element. Under the FAI's phased proposal, underage leagues are to introduce the 'calendar' season from next January for players up to age 12 but none of the biggest six seven leagues in the country, DDSL and North Dublin, along with Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick, have agreed to the overhaul.
