FAI calls in accountancy firm to investigate ticket transactions

THE Football Association of Ireland has asked an accountancy firm to investigate ticket transactions during the 1994 World Cup finals in the United States.

The announcement follows last Friday's statement by the association's treasurer, Mr Joe Delaney, that he had met a shortfall of £110,000 arising from the sale of tickets for that year's World Cup.

Chartered accountants Bastow Charleton will start an investigation this morning and will report to the FAI's governing body, the Senior Council, on March 8th.

Mr Brendan Menton, the FAI's acting secretary following the recent resignation of Mr Sean Connolly as general secretary and chief executive, conceded he had revised his earlier intention to conduct an internal investigation.

"On consideration I think it's best for everybody in the association that all the facts be brought out into the open, and the best way of doing that is to bring in an outside, independent firm. The firm we've chosen, Bastow Charleton, are acknowledged experts in this area," Mr Menton said last night.

One of the firm's accountants, Mr Brian Conroy, said the investigation would not differ greatly from others of its kind. He said the investigation would entail interviewing FAI members as well as an examination of the association's records.

"We do intend talking to individuals where accounting records are not clear, or where information is not otherwise available. We will independently validate all of the information we receive."

In a statement yesterday, the FAI said the terms of reference were "to investigate every aspect of ticket management at the US `94 World Cup and to report to the Senior Council of the association".

Mr Conroy also said his firm's investigation would incorporate the FAI's ticket management policy in general. This will be completed in a month or so.

The announcement of an external investigation has been generally welcomed. However, the Shelbourne chairman, Mr Finbarr Flood, reiterated his calf for the resignation of the association's five man officer board.

When the officer board held a press conference last Wednesday, 48 hours before Mr Delaney's statement, the FAI president, Mr Louis Kilcoyne, and its honorary secretary, Mr Des Casey, maintained that no officer had met the alleged shortfall.

The former Republic of Ireland international and Shamrock Rovers manager, Mr Ray Treacy, said if the board was still in situ by March 29th, when Ireland plays Russia, Irish supporters should boycott the game.