WHAT a week for Limerick and Limerick FC. Last Thursday evening it looked like Barcelona FC, one of the biggest clubs in World football, were about to grace our little recession torn region to play a football friendly at Thomond Park. By Tuesday evening last, our dreams were shattered.
The ‘MAN’ once more, won out over the little guy. There have been statements and counter statements for nearly a week now, but eventually, time ran out. Barcelona FC had to move on with their preparations for next season and Limerick FC and the Mid West region missed out.
Before we go into the finer details on this saga, the following is a mission statement from the FAI website. By, the way, FAI stands for Football Association of Ireland. Just in case you thought it was something else.
“The Football Association of Ireland is the governing body of football in Ireland. Our game is being developed and supported by the FAI and its associates; clubs, affiliates and leagues, in every townland, city street and community across Ireland, in line with our mission to foster, develop and promote football.
Our goal is to continue to increase participation in all sections of the community through our members, voluntary and executive, working with the many stakeholders who enjoy and support our sport.”
I think that piece of wording says it all. It starts off with the cosy idea of football for all. Street soccer with jumpers for goalposts or playing curbs. It ends with the key issue at hand, “working with the many stakeholders who enjoy and support our sport”. Forever to be known in these parts as the ‘third party’. That is the reason the game could not go ahead. Contractual agreements with a third party meant that no soccer friendly that would attract more than 15,000 fans can be played outside of the Aviva.
According to the FAI, everyone knew this. According to Limerick FC and all the national football media, it was news to them.
The be all and end all is that money talks these days. The dream of being able to walk out of town to an amazing stadium to watch a high profile, money spinning football match is now over.
The real sad thing about it all is that if a private company, (Limerick FC employ 30 staff) was looking to bring an event to the Mid West that would raise €10 million, the Government would have rolled out the red carpet. This was not the case. Another black mark against our state.
Sport in Ireland sees decisions made in ivory towers in the nation’s capital. To even fathom that an organisation, backed by government funding, who’s job it is to promote football, would close the door on Barcelona FC playing a game here, beggars belief. What must the heads of Barca think of us. Why would they ever come back to Ireland again.
Our status as a nation who punches above it’s weight in sport will stay, but our ability to host sporting events has taken a blow. The worst thing of all is that even if Barcelona do come to the Aviva, the FAI will not be able to organise a few pints in the Guinness brewery for them anyway. Pun absolutely intended. We, as a city, will get our chance again. Just not with the FAI it seems.
