The SSE Airtricity League and the FAI are fighting crises on two fronts this morning with one believed to be averted but the other heading towards the end of Bray Wanderers.
The Wicklow club have not paid players since may 24th and have been in breach of other obligations including failing to meet medical expenses.
The FAI have been mediating and negotiating but a 5 PM deadline set yesterday for payment of the wages was not met and the players have voted to take strike action.
They appear willing to play this weekend’s game against Bohemians but the following Friday night fixture against Cork City is no longer certain to go ahead.
If Bray were to fold it would be part of an unfortunate though symmetrical sequence with the last two clubs going out of the League mid-season being Dublin City in 2006 and Monaghan United in 2012. If precedent is followed then it would follow that Bray Wanderes results this season would be expunged from the record.
Dundalk have played them three times, winning twice and drawing once meaning they would lose seven points while Cork have only played twice, winning both and they would lose six.
Hopefully it will not come to that but the clock is ticking.
The FAI issued a statement last night which read:
The Football Association of Ireland confirms that sanctions will be imposed on Bray Wanderers FC with immediate effect following the club’s failure to meet an agreed deadline of settling monies owed to players.
FAI officials were engaged with the club over the weekend in an effort to resolve the issue of outstanding monies owed to players and another meeting took place today (Monday, July 16) ahead of the agreed deadline of 17:00.
While the club insist that they are moving closer to a resolution, the FAI have imposed sanctions on the club following their failure to transfer monies owed to players by the set deadline.
As a result, the FAI have removed Bray Wanderers FC from participating in the 2018-19 IRN-BRU Scottish Challenge Cup and the club will not be permitted to register any new players for the remainder of the 2018 SSE Airtricity League season.
The FAI will meet again with the club on Tuesday morning in the hope that a resolution can be found to ensure that all monies owed to players are paid in full.
As that statement was being issued Officials had moved onto meetings with Limerick FC where there have also been delays in paying wages.
Three hours later the press office was in action again albeit with a somewhat more positive news.
The Football Association of Ireland and Limerick FC met this evening (July 16) to address outstanding monies owed to the club’s players.
Following meetings with the FAI and the club over recent weeks, Limerick FC have this evening confirmed a resolution whereby the club’s players will receive monies owed to them by Tuesday (July 17).
The club have been informed that they will not be permitted to sign any new players for the remainder of the 2018 SSE Airtricity League season.
The FAI will continue to work closely with the club to monitor their financial situation.
It seems a long way away from Moscow and the World Cup though when Monaghan United withdrew from the League in 2006 that was also in the midst of the 2012 European Championships where the Republic of Ireland were competing in Poland.
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