Cass urges `radical overhaul'

THE management consultant, Ray Cass, who was hired by the FAI to look at the way the association is organised, submitted his report last night.

In the document, entitled Securing Winning Goals Cass is critical of a number of aspects of the FAI's operations and urges a number of changes which, he feels, should be implemented immediately.

The system of ticket allocation comes in for particular as do the association's handling of the media and its decision making processes while, overall, Cass feels there is "a lack of vision, direction and planning".

The report concludes that, if the association wishes to "secure credibility as the body which is capable of developing and managing soccer affairs" it must undergo' a "radical overhaul".

The document is frank about the extent of the association's shortcomings with references to "outdated and ineffective" decision making structures, the lack of "adequate accountability" and the tendency for the "same people to retain power at the centre".

By way of remedy, Cass calls for substantial changes in several areas with, most notably, a stronger 12 member board of management to be appointed and the election of the association's president by a vote among the 4,300 registered clubs.

Up to now the president has been elected by the council. Long-standing arrangements between different sections of the FAI, such as the National League, the Junior Leagues etc, to rotate this and other important jobs between their representatives have tended to lead to a certain cosiness around Merrion Square. Cass clearly feels that this situation has been detrimental.

Limiting terms of office for officials and members of committees is another proposal likely to raise a few eyebrows among administrators although, with a new system of eight main sub-committees aimed at taking on the task of running the sport also recommended, there is at least the prospect of even more jobs to go around.

At the top of the ladder, meanwhile, Cass calls for the urgent installation of a permanent general secretary/chief executive as well as a manager of financial resources and a media affairs officer.

On the more basic levels greater computerisation aimed at improved efficiency, especially in the ticketing department, is seen as a priority and greater planning targeted at ending the prevailing constant crisis handling atmosphere in Merrion Square" is also put high on the agenda.

Overall the report criticises the game's administrators for failing to cope with the rapid growth in the game's popularity (there are almost three times as many registered players in the country now as there were 10 years ago) and for their slow response to the dramatic growth in the sport's commercial potential and the media interest it commands. In each case, he highlights the need for greater professionalism in the future.

Commenting on the report at last night's FAI council meeting where it was presented, the association's president Pat Quigley, said Cass's findings were well received. "There were criticisms in some areas which is only natural, but a lot of their questions were answered," he said.

It is hoped to have many of the proposed changes put in place by the end of this year, although Quigley said. "People are sometimes slow to change, they fear it and we have to let them discuss the situation before pressing ahead."

Cass conceded there would be a need for considerable discussion about the implications of these proposals and admitted that some might end up being altered during the process. Referring to the move to a more direct election of the president, he said. "I am not hung up on any particular proposal, it is the principle that is important."

He said that under the proposals contained in the report, the FAI's officer board would cease to exist. The officers would be members of the envisaged board of control.

On the subject of term limits for those involved, he said. "I'm not proposing that people be permanently disbarred from holding office again simply that it is healthy that there be a break.

He declined to comment on the possible findings of the Bastow Charleton report which is expected at the end of the month.

Meanwhile, the FAI council confirmed Irish assistant manager Ian Evans's role as the manager of the national under 21 side.