FAI chief John Delaney won't face questions from Irish government over FIFA loan

Chief executive John Delaney will not be questioned by the Irish government over the five million euro loan the FAI received from FIFA.

Delaney revealed last week that the payment was arranged by Sepp Blatter after Ireland controversially lost a play-off to France in 2009, with striker Thierry Henry handling the ball in the build-up to the game’s decisive goal.

It was technically classed as a loan and was used to pay off debts racked up by the redevelopment of the Landsdowne Road ground, which is now the Aviva Stadium.

It had been suggested by several Irish politicians that Delaney should be questioned by a parliamentary committee over his part in the deal, but following a private meeting in Leinster House a spokeswoman confirmed: "The Committee have opted not to ask the FAI to appear."

While the FAI is not governed by the Irish parliament, the organisation receives millions in grants for the development of the game.

Delaney has not answered any questions publicly since the revelation but the FAI issued a lengthy statement outlining the chronology of the FIFA pay-off and where it was recorded in its accounts.

He disclosed last week that the loan was secured from FIFA after a heated exchange with Blatter in his office and the FIFA boss joking that the Republic sought to be team 33 at the World Cup in South Africa.

Delaney claimed the money was paid to stave off a threatened a lawsuit against FIFA after officials missed the handball by Henry to set up a goal for William Gallas.