FAI and Limerick in dispute over Barca date

[deco]

from the Times:

A war of words has broken out between the FAI and Limerick FC over the club’s plans to organise a glamour friendly against Barcelona at Thomond Park on July 31st.

Earlier today Limerick FC chairman Pat O’Sullivan had called on Airtricity League director Fran Gavin to reverse his decision and sanction the club to play a match they say has been confirmed with the Catalan giants and could be worth up to €10million to the local economy.

But tonight the FAI reiterated their stance on the matter in a brief statement, outlining why they have refused permission for the game to go ahead.

The statement cites “third party commercial arrangements which prevent the Association from doing so” and that the FAI themselves are “in active and ongoing negotiations with FC Barcelona in relation to a visit of Aviva Stadium”.

Their third point relates to league games, with the FAI pointing out that Limerick FC “was obliged to retain ownership of the July 31 date because of Airtricity League fixtures”.

O’Sullivan believes the failure to grant the club a sanction for the match would be a huge blow to the club and the mid-west region in general.

In a statement he said: “This is a massive setback for Limerick FC, Limerick City and the mid-west region. We along with Thomond Park and local tourism bodies have worked tirelessly to bring a team of the stature of FC Barcelona to the sports-mad mid-west region.

“The potential benefit to the local economy of up to €10million and to the profile of soccer in the region is enormous. This makes it imperative that the Airtricity League Director reverse his decision, sanction this match and allow fans all over the region see the likes of Lionel Messi grace Thomond Park in July”.

[Slipper1]

They should get the publicans involved