Louth TD says grassroots football cannot suffer over FAI controversies

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Sport and Louth TD Joanna Byrne TD, has said that grassroots football and supports for Irish Football cannot suffer because of government annoyance with the FAI.  

Speaking after the FAI appeared before the Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Teachta Byrne said:

“The hearing was frustrating for all involved.  The FAI were invited to appear in response to the ‘Girls in Green’ documentary, but they provided Garda advice not to discuss the specifics of those cases until they are resolved.

“I tailored my questions for the FAI accordingly and I focused on ensuring safeguarding was up to standard for all men, women and children involved in football.

“The women who spoke up on the abuses perpetrated on them in the 90s, by coaches who should have been protecting them, deserve our full support in their fight for justice.

“Those survivors' needs are paramount in my mind, and nothing should be done that jeopardised the upcoming criminal cases.

“It must be stated strongly now that grassroots football and academies need continued support in the upcoming budget.

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“League Of Ireland Academies (grassroots soccer), Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) and the sports capital grants must all be properly funded for the future of Irish football.

“Financial supports cannot be withdrawn because the government is annoyed with how the FAI were unable to answer questions at the committee.”