FAI urge leniency over McClean & O'Neill comments

FAI chief executive John Delaney hopes Martin O’Neill and James McClean will escape a Fifa ban for their comments about a referee.

Football's world governing body began disciplinary proceeding against the pair on 19 June following comments made by the pair about referee David Fernandez Borbalan after Ireland's 1-1 World Cup qualifier draw with Austria in Dublin on 11 June.

O'Neill criticised the Spanish official's decision to rule out Shane Duffy's late goal as  "very poor", while West Brom winger McClean said Ireland were playing against "a 12th man".

The FAI have already made their submission to Fifa’s Disciplinary Committee, which meets on 20 July and can impose a fine and/or a suspension for breaches of its' disciplinary code.

If found guilty, the pair could be suspended for Ireland's World Cup double header against Georgia and Serbia in September.

"Our submission is very much based on people regretting what was said and all that would come from that," Delaney said.

"I think that's a pretty fair position for everybody, be it Martin, be it James and the FAI.

"We made our submissions to Fifa last Friday and will know the outcome after their meeting on July 20. My own view is that I hope there aren't any bans from matches.

"I don't think it deserves a ban but I'd be slightly biased and it's not my decision. It’s an independent committee within Fifa and any decision is subject to an appeal."

Delaney also confirmed that the FAI were hopeful of clearing their €39m debt by 2020, even if the national team fails to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The FAI owe the Bank of Ireland €34m as part of their debt for the building of the Aviva Stadium, and owe European football's governing body, Uefa, another €5m.

"We could clear our debt by 2020 without reaching the World Cup next year but qualification does give us the confidence to do it," he said.

Image: Inpho

eir Sport channels are available across the eir Vision, Sky and Vodafone TV platforms as well as on the eir Sport app. All 7 channels in the eir Sport pack are available for free if you are a residential eir broadband customer.