FAI CEO John Delaney provided the Association with six-figure 'bridging loan' in 2017

FAI CEO John Delaney says he provided a ‘once-off bridging loan’ of €100,000 to the Association to ‘aid a very short-term cash flow issue’ in 2017.

The Association released a statement late on Saturday night acknowledging the six-figure transfer in response to an article by journalist Mark Tighe in today’s Sunday Times Ireland edition.

“The short-term loan was required to aid cash flow … and was repaid in full to John Delaney by the Association in June 2017,” the statement read.

“The CEO has also confirmed that his UEFA renumeration for 2018 has been donated back to the FAI on a voluntary basis.”

Delaney said: “I am aware of stories circulating around this loan dating back to 2017.

“I confirm that I made a once-off bridging loan to the Association to aid a very short-term cash flow issue.

“This is the only occasion on which I provided the Association with a short-term loan.”

The Sunday Times published details of the ‘personal cheque for €100,000’ provided by Delaney to his employers for which Delaney ‘refused to explain the reason.’

The article also alleged that Delaney had failed in an eleventh-hour bid to have an emergency injunction placed on publication of the piece.

FAI statement:

The Football Association of Ireland Chief Executive John Delaney has stated that he provided the FAI with a €100,000 bridging loan in April 2017.

The short-term loan was required to aid cash flow on that occasion and was repaid in full to John Delaney by the Association in June 2017.

The CEO has also confirmed that his UEFA remuneration for 2018 has been donated back to the FAI on a voluntary basis.

Speaking tonight, John Delaney said: “I am aware of stories circulating around this loan dating back to 2017.

“I confirm that I made a once-off bridging loan to the Association to aid a very short-term cash flow issue.

“This is the only occasion on which I provided the Association with a short-term loan.”