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Roy Barrett says there was no conflict of interest regarding his appointment as the independent chairman of the FAI after it emerged that he was nominated for the vacancy by the governor of the Bank of Ireland, which is the association’s largest creditor.
The Bank of Ireland is the FAI’s largest creditor with loans of € 52 million.
A week after RTÉ Sport published the story that FAI Board member Larry Bass had claimed that Barrett was recommended for the FAI position by Bank of Ireland Director Patrick Kennedy, confirmation of this was revealed on the association’s EGM on Monday.
It was at that meeting that the FAI Council voted 114-8 in favor of approving the Memorandum of Understanding that will allow the restoration of government funding.
“It’s a very positive result on the night,” Barrett said afterward.
“The last few weeks and months have been quite difficult. There has been a lot of debate and discussion, but we have gotten through it.
“I am very happy with the result. All the resolutions were overwhelmingly passed, so it is really good for the organization.”
When pressed for Kennedy to recommend him to Amrop hiring consultants for the position of independent president, Barrett said “there was nothing extraordinary” about being recommended.
Describing his position, he added: “Amrop approached me, I never spoke to Amrop before. I asked them why they approached me and they said that several people had recommended me, including Patrick Kennedy.
“So I spoke to Amrop and then to Patrick, probably the same day to tell him that they approached me. I didn’t speak to Patrick about anything to do with the FAI until last week.
“Is there a conflict of interest? No, there isn’t.”
From Abbotstown, @Corktod reports after FAI Council votes in favor of governance change #RTESoccer pic.twitter.com/27aXITEJsv
– RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) August 31, 2020
On the issue of optics within an organization where greater transparency is now expected, Barrett stressed that it is “silly” to think that his appointment was anything but transparent.
He continued: “There is nothing extraordinary about people recommending someone to a headhunter. Now it’s completely transparent. As for the appointment, it was Amrop who approached me and I was the one who went through the process.
“I met with all the stakeholders and ultimately the nominating committee approved my appointment to the board and I was appointed. Any other statement, in my opinion, is kind of nonsense.”
On the question of saving an organization that was running out of money, Barrett revealed that they looked at several options, including the exam.
“Under the circumstances, this was the best option for an organization that was quickly running out of money. If we did not get the acquiescence of all concerned, we would be in serious trouble.
“In fairness to all stakeholders and I’d like to thank them – the Government, UEFA, FIFA, Sport Ireland and the Bank of Ireland – dealing with all of them has been very straightforward. They have been very supportive and supportive. it has continued to this day. “
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