FAI still oppose move

THE FAI are emerging as the last stumbling block in the way of increasingly concerted moves by businessmen to have Wimbledon relocate in Dublin.

Negotiations between an Irish based business consortium headed by U2's manager Paul McGuinness and the Hammam brothers who own Wimbledon are reportedly close to fruition, leaving the Hammam brothers with just a 25 per cent share of the putative club.

However, the deal is dependent on the building of a new stadium in Dublin, believed to be in Nielstown and ratification from the FAI for a renamed Wimbledon to play their home English Premiership fixtures in Dublin.

However, the FAI acting secretary Brendan Menton yesterday said that "the association have had no contact from Wimbledon or from any consortium proposing to buy Wimbledon."

"I suppose the only other thing I can add from the association's point of view is that we actually considered this matter at our Full Council meeting last November and it was unanimously decided that we would not concede to Wimbledon locating in Dublin."