League of Ireland sides discuss breaking away from FAI in talks with European Clubs Association

The prospect of a League of Ireland breakaway from the FAI was one of the topics discussed at a meeting with representatives of the European Clubs Association (ECA) in Dublin today.

While there are no working plans to go down that route, the concept has been raised in talks between club reps on a consistent basis and the chatter has increased in light of a turbulent period for Irish football’s governing body.

The ECA styles itself as the sole, independent body for clubs at European level, although it has come under scrutiny due to the closeness of its relationship with UEFA. PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is the chair.

ECA Vice Chair Aki Riihilahti (the CEO of HJK Helsinki) and Estonian board member Kuno Tehva were present for a gathering of top flight sides that was organised by champions Shamrock Rovers and attended by eight clubs.

On foot of a request from Rovers, the ECA’s legal team has been reviewing the participation agreement that exists between the club and the FAI, especially in relation to broadcast and commercial deals with a view to 2025 negotiations.

Premier Division sides Rovers, Sligo Rovers, Dundalk, Shelbourne, St Patrick’s Athletic are already in the ECA, while Drogheda United and Derry City have now formally applied to join.

Cork City were the sole First Division representative present as they are legacy members of the ECA – other clubs in the second tier were not invited as the ECA is effectively for top tier sides only.

Of the other Premier clubs, Waterford were unable to make the meeting for logistical reasons, while Galway United did not attend.

Bohemians formally declined an invitation as they are members of a rival organisation, the Union of European Clubs, which was set up with intention of representing small and medium sized clubs who felt their voice had no impact within the ECA.

Bohemians COO Daniel Lambert is prominently involved in the UEC and has previously expressed the opinion that ECA decisions are weighted in favour of elite clubs.

The ECA operates in four subdivisions based on UEFA’s country rankings and Riihilahti and Tehva organised the Dublin trip to explain the work they do on behalf of the nations in Subdivision 4, the lowest tier, which takes in leagues 29-54 as per the pecking order. Ireland comes into that category.

The League of Ireland clubs are trying to come together to ensure they are getting similar deals to other leagues of the same size in that department and the ECA are offering instruction on that basis. Solidarity money changes from next year were also discussed with UEFA’s changing competition structures at European level having a domino effect.

However, the summit also explored the area of how a breakaway league might function if that option was pursued. Clubs would have the freedom to negotiate their own commercial and TV deals in that eventuality.

The ECA team are also due to meet with Northern Irish league representatives during their visit.

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