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It is time for the country to move on from Video-gate and start looking forward to the next World Cup qualifiers, according to new FAI Executive Director Jonathan Hill.
Just a few weeks after his new role within the association, Irish football was caught up in its latest drama when an English tabloid reported on what was described as an “anti-English” video that was played in the Irish dressing room earlier. of the game against England. .
The story, of course, attracted wide coverage after it first appeared in the English newspaper, the Daily Mail, which was followed by a strongly worded FAI press release saying the association was “investigating this internally as a matter of urgency, in order to establish the facts. ”
The rumor mill later took over when it was suggested that the leak came from certain locations within the Irish countryside, leading to public denial amid the allegations.
The November international window finally came to an end, however Video-gate continued, followed by further disruptions within the national team when two coaching staff resigned their positions.
Former Ireland goalkeeper Alan Kelly had to issue a public statement denying that he was the source of the “disgusting” rumors after asking for time on his role in the team, while Damien Duff walked away from his coaching position saying that he would have been “unhappy with himself if he had remained in office.
The new CEO met with the Irish media for the first time on Friday, albeit in a virtual setting via Zoom technology, and while Hill would have expected a series of tough questions about his role at work and the issues that lie ahead. face the association, I would. It seems like he’s been talking enough about that infamous night at Wembley Stadium, where the motivational video didn’t even have the desired effect, as Ireland collapsed 3-0.
“I don’t think that at this point in February 2021 we should continue to talk about that or the process in general,” Hill said. “We should move forward positively.
“If I’m honest, I’m a little frustrated that at the end of February, a good three months later, the whole issue is still being discussed. I really think we’re moving on, the players want to move on and Stephen wants to move on.”
However, Hill was open about the matter that caused so much consternation and was happy to offer his thoughts on the origin of the leak, the manager’s concerns about behind-the-scenes people causing problems, as well as how the FAI handled the research on the matter.
“I honestly don’t think we will ever find the source of that story in that English newspaper. It all happened within five or six days after the game, so several people will have talked about it with many other people. I think it is impossible say who the source was.
“In establishing the facts, we found no evidence of [people behind the scenes interfering] To be honest.
“What I do know is that when we found out, initially from a newspaper within the UK media I had received a story and then an Irish newspaper also received the story of what they believed to be the story, I felt comfortable with that it was the right thing to do for us, the FAI, to establish the facts.
“That’s all we did. The reason we did it was because we wanted to know before we brought it to the board and said ‘look, these are the facts of the matter and this is what should happen.’
“It actually took us 48 hours to do it. Unfortunately, I couldn’t be there to do it myself because I was here in the UK because of Covid. Gary Owens talked to people.
“So I was able to see the video myself. I saw it and when I sat down in front of the board, obviously I was the only English person on that call, I could say that I personally was not offended by the video at all.
“Considering all the other conversations we had, the board listened and debated and said there was no case to answer and we moved on. And honestly, I think we need to move on now. I would like to see the problem fixed. we can move positively towards the qualifiers in March. ”
And heading into the World Cup campaign, Hill believes Ireland’s quest to qualify will be difficult, but not impossible, as they find themselves in a group with Portugal and Serbia with only one team getting automatic qualification.
“We are as positive and optimistic about the campaign as Stephen,” Hill said.
“Since there are only 13 European nations that can qualify, it is a huge challenge. It is much more difficult than qualifying for the Euro.
“We must support Stephen and the players as they prepare for what will be a difficult but not impossible World Cup qualification campaign.”
Hill also admitted that he would see no problem with the coach choosing to use motivational material in the locker room in the future and emphasized that he would not get involved in team matters.
“I would not, and will not, seek to intervene in the way he prepares his team. Motivation is clearly an important part of any coach’s arsenal, so I am sure Stephen will seek to motivate his players in the way that best suits him. sit “.
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