The sequel to the most glorious period in the history of Irish soccer, the Charlton era, is now being played out at the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). It is a sorry tale with a cast of characters that now includes a Greek ticket tout and a group of FAI officials with a primitive approach towards openness and accountability. Jack Charlton surely deserved a better legacy than this.
The haemorrhaging at the FAI is having a debilitating effect on the game in this country. Three full time officials of the association have already resigned. The feeble explanation by the FAI at this week's press conference that this rash of resignations was merely a coincidence, simply beggars belief. Since that bizarre press briefing, which failed to satisfactorily address any of the serious questions that now surround the organisation, Mr Finbarr Flood, one of the more enlightened FAI officials, has also resigned. And there are hints of further departures.
Last night's statement by the honorary treasurer of the association, Mr Joe Delaney, in which he admits an "error of judgment" in dealing with a "less than trustworthy" ticket agent, will add to the sense of crisis at Merrion Square. He also admitted that he felt "honour bound" to personally meet the shortfall on the deal.
Mr Delaney's statement appears to be a damage limitation exercise but, unfortunately for the FAI, it raises as many questions as it answers. Critically, Mr Delaney's admission comes only 48 hours after the president, Mr Kilcoyne, denied that any officers of the association met any shortfall arising from the World Cup in the US in 1994. The case for the resignation of Mr Delaney and Mr Kilcoyne - or indeed both is now compelling. There may also be a case for a full independent investigation into the financial affairs of the FAI. Soccer fans throughout the country will also be looking to the next meeting of the full 50 member FAI Council on March 8th to help clear up the mess.
It is difficult not to feel some sympathy for Mick McCarthy, the new Irish manager, who faces the daunting task of stepping into Jack Charlton's boots with an international team which may be past its prime. The extraordinary statement by Mr Kilcoyne that McCarthy was not his first choice for the post on the very day that the new manager was appointed - can only be interpreted as an insult to the new manager. In any sensible organisation, Mr Kilcoyne's behaviour would already have warranted his resignation. Mr Kilcoyne himself, after all, was a member of the selection committee that appointed McCarthy. But he has yet to explain how his loose talk about McCarthy will help to inspire the confidence of the team in the new manager, let alone the confidence of the public.
Ultimately, the public, which has made such a strong emotional and financial investment in the international soccer team, is looking for reassurance that the administration of soccer in this country should more properly reflect the growth in stature of the game over the past decade.