SOCCER:THE FAI last night insisted that the ongoing pay and contract wrangle at Bohemians was close to being resolved and denied categorically the club had received any financial help from Abbotstown.

Despite suggestions earlier in the week that the situation in which contracted players, who have not been paid in eight weeks, at Bohemians were close to reaching severance agreement with the club, the dispute remains unresolved.

“(It’s) very close to agreement,” said Fran Gavin, director of the Airtricity League. “We just came from a meeting with the two parties and it’s very close to an agreement and I think it will be sorted in the next few days.”

On the FAI’s involvement, Gavin added: “You have to realise that when you get to a stage in negotiations when the parties get to a stalemate where they can’t move. Sometimes, you need a bit of an input. People take positions and can be very staunch in them. If we can assist in helping it to come to a resolution, well that’s what we’re here for. That’s what we’ve been doing and it’s been welcomed by both sides.”

On suggestions that the club had been advanced prize-money by the FAI, Gavin was adamant. “Absolutely not, categorically not,” he said. “We’re not giving any financial assistance to anybody. We’re trying to get a resolution and solution to the whole thing, that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re very close to it at the moment. It’s very sensitive. The strength of licensing is that it’s independent. What we’re doing in Bohs’ case is trying to help the parties reach a resolution over a dispute. It’s common in any industry.”

Meanwhile, FAI CEO John Delaney last night pledged to provide personal funding for the purchase of €5,000 worth of shares in Drogheda United as the club officially launched their “The Future Starts Here” share initiative through the Claret and Blue Steering Group who are forming a new company to take over club.

In a complete reorganisation and restructuring of the club, Drogheda hope the initiative, in which supporters and other interested parties can purchase shares at €1,000 each, will provide sufficient funds to sustain the club over the next two seasons.