Irish fans disrupted a Euro 2020 qualifier against Georgia on Tuesday by throwing tennis balls onto the pitch in protest at chief executive John Delaney’s continued role in the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).
Play was held up for three minutes late in the first half while Ireland waited to take a free kick deep in Georgian territory as stewards cleared dozens of tennis balls thrown on to the pitch by fans angry at the FAI for moving Delaney sideways into a new role.
Conor Hourihane gave Ireland the lead in the Group D clash directly from the resulting free kick. The match finished 1-0.
Delaney is due to appear before lawmakers on April 10 to explain a 100,000 euro ($113,000) personal loan, provided to the FAI two years ago to help his employer with what it called a short-term cash flow issue.
Delaney’s loan to the FAI, which did not appear in the FAI’s audited accounts and prompted questions about the body’s financial position, has been a major news story since the Sunday Times first reported it 10 days ago.
Delaney failed in a court application to prevent the disclosure, the newspaper said.
The former CEO said it was the only time he gave such a loan and it was repaid in full.
Sport Ireland, the state body responsible for sports development, said it wrote to the FAI President seeking urgent clarification from the FAI Board concerning the loan, including its circumstances and its repayment.
As Executive Vice President – a new role created just as he stepped aside as CEO – Delaney will have responsibility for a range of international matters including those relating to FIFA and UEFA and FAI tournament bidding projects. He will work closely with the new CEO, the FAI said.
The FAI said Delaney’s move to a new role was the result of a review of its senior management structure which was commissioned in February and carried out in recent weeks.
Hull City fans disrupted a League Cup tie against Bolton Wanderers in 1998 by throwing tennis balls in protest at development plans by then owner David Lloyd, a former tennis player. He sold the club later the same year.
Fans of Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla, Basel and Luzern, have all thrown tennis balls in protest at kickoff times.
Also on Tuesday, Greece fought back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw in Bosnia after the hosts had Miralem Pjanic sent off in a pulsating Euro 2020 Group J qualifier.
The result left both sides on four points from two games, two behind leaders Italy who thrashed Lichtenstein 6-0 at home and one ahead of Finland after their 2-0 win in Armenia.
The Armenians and Lichtenstein have no points.
Tuesday’s Euro 2020 qualifying results:
Republic of Ireland 1
Georgia o
Bosnia-Herz. 2
Greece 2
Armenia 0
Finland 2
Italy 6
Liechtenstein 0
Switzerland 3
Denmark 3
Malta 0
Spain 2
Norway 3
Sweden 3
Romania 4
Faroe Islands 1
