McCarthy to explain Cup Final ban

THE Republic of Ireland soccer manager, Mick McCarthy, has called a press conference in Dublin this morning to give his version of events that yesterday prompted the English FA to ban him from buying FA Cup Final tickets for the next 10 years.

Trading standards officers at last season's match between Everton and Manchester United discovered that two £60 tickets sold to McCarthy through his then club, Millwall, had been sold on by a tout to Norwegian supporters who had paid £350 each to get into the game.

When he purchased the tickets McCarthy, in accordance with the standard FA procedure, signed a declaration that he would not sell on or give away the tickets without the written permission of the club.

Mr Steve Double, press officer for the FA, said "Mick McCarthy told us he had passed on the tickets to two associates at face value, which we accept," but the Irish manager was still banned for the breach of the rules.

"If everybody who receives tickets keeps to the terms and conditions they sign for, there wouldn't be a black market," Mr Double said.

The news will also be an embarrassment for the FAI, which has just emerged from a turbulent period during which its treasurer, Mr Joe Delaney, resigned and its president, Mr Louis Kilcoyne, was voted out of office following admissions that the organisation had dealt with touts during the last World Cup.

The 38 people banned by the English FA along with McCarthy were mainly minor club officials and employees, although action has been taken in the past against players and other well known figures within the game after similar cases came to light.

Last night the FAI declined to comment. A spokesman said only. "We are satisfied this is a personal matter between Mick McCarthy and the English FA and we believe they have accepted there was no personal gain involved and therefore there is no need for us to issue a statement."

McCarthy, who was unavailable for comment yesterday, arrives in Dublin this morning to announce the second Irish squad of his international managership.

The ban means McCarthy cannot be sold a ticket for an FA Cup Final over the next decade, but he would still be admitted to the ground if he needed to attend in his official capacity as Irish manager.