There can be a lot of rancour and bitterness when a relationship goes sour. To be fair though there was little of that in the statement issued last night by John Delaney announcing that he was resigning as Vice President of the Olympic Council of Ireland.
Citing four reasons behind the decision Delaney was precise in his language and careful to ensure that he would continue to give full support to the various investigations going on into the events of the summer which led to Pat Hickey’s ‘temporarily’ stepping aside as President of the OCI after his detention and being charged with a variety of crimes under Brazilian law relating to ticket touting.
“My Role as CEO of the FAI is my primary role and priority, said Delaney in his statement.
“I have always been 100% committed to fulfilling my role, my obligations and duties in ensuring the growth and development of football in Ireland, which I will continue to do.”
“As an Executive Committee member of the OCI, my role was never active in the day to day running of the OCI and as I mentioned previously, I was in a position to attend only 5 of the last 13 board meetings prior to the RIO Olympics.”
“I had no role or involvement in the OCI’s handling of ticketing arrangements for the RIO Olympic Games.”
“During my time as a member of the OCI Executive Committee I have always looked to the best interests of the Olympic movement, and in recent months I have worked extensively with the other OCI Committee members to ensure that all proper steps have been taken by the OCI, following the issues that arose in RIO. As part of this, I have fully engaged and co-operated with investigations being carried out by Grant Thornton who were appointed to review ticketing arrangements and Deloitte, whose brief is to examine governance issues within the OCI. I will, of course, also provide all assistance sought by Mr. Justice Carroll Moran as part of the Government appointed enquiry.”
“I am fully confident that in due course my position and non-involvement in these matters will be clarified and independently verified on completion of reports carried out by Grant Thornton or Justice Carroll Moran.”
“I wish the OCI executive and the Olympic movement, in this country, all the best into the future and I will always follow with interest their sporting achievements.”
The original plan for the investigations suggested an early October deadline for an initial report but that has slipped and the pressure on the remaining members of the Council will likely intensify now that Delaney has stepped away.
Sarah Keane has been in the spotlight as one of the newer and seen to be more progressive members, and herself and Athlone Institute of Technology president Ciaran O’Cathain may now be looking at the impact the ongoing scandal might be having on their regular positions.
That would be a great shame as they are representative of the newer breed that have not been so much part of the old regime that is subject to scrutiny over governance and attitude as much as finances and tickets.
They take their responsibility seriously and will be uneasy at recent comments by Sonia O’Sullivan and now Delaney admitting to a more ‘hands off’ approach to their responsibilities as might be expected of any organisation, never mind one in receipt of substantial public money through Sport Ireland.
Delaney is a very sharp operator, finely attuned to political situations and still with ambition, we would imagine, for a long term expanded role within UEFA.
Other than Hickey he is the first actor to exit stage left from the drama that is the Olympic Council. There will be a few more scenes to play out before the final curtain drops on this one.
