FAI sponsor monitoring situation following Oireachtas hearing

Ford have said that they are monitoring the FAI's situation after Sport Ireland took the decision to suspend future funding to the Association.

Sport Ireland cited earlier this week that the FAI have not complied with the clause which states that each organisation is to 'notify Sport Ireland in writing without delay in the event of any material deterioration in its financial position'. At the Oireachtas Committee meeting on Wednesday, chairman Fergus O'Dowd said told the FAI, 'you need to think about regime change'. With Sport Ireland suspending and withholding future funding to the Association, there are concerns over where that will be felt most in Irish football. A big source of revenue still comes from the sponsors of the FAI. A spokesperson from Aviva, the official insurance partner of the Association, told SportsJOE that they did not wish to comment on Wednesday's Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport. Ford, however, as the official vehicle sponsor, confirmed that they are monitoring the situation.

"In all of our sponsorship activity, Ford constantly monitors the performance and return that our sponsorship partnerships deliver.  Our partnership with the FAI is important to us and we are particularly proud that our vehicle supply sponsorship is making a significant contribution to grass roots soccer in Ireland through the provision of Ford vehicles to the organisation’s Development Officers who promote the game in clubs and communities across the country."

Shirt sponsors Three also commented:

“As primary sponsor of the Irish national football team and all international squads, our focus is on promoting the game of football for fans and our customers right across the country. “Corporate governance is of upmost importance at Three and we expect the same from all partners we work with. “We note that the FAI has commissioned two reports to review recent matters and we expect all recommendations to be implemented.”

SportsJOE have contacted New Balance, Spar, Celtic Pure and SSE Airtricity for a response and await further comment.