League of Ireland squad for Dublin Super Cup Aviva

Sceala Philosopher Location: Dublin

While the legend in his own dream time John Delaney, continues to receive a huge salary, that he considers beyond question.
The League of Ireland squad who will play in this weekends Dublin Super Cup Aviva, have to threaten a walk out to get just fair treatment.
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The League of Ireland squad for Dublin Super Cup Aviva listen up during a training session.

Diabolical how the Irish players in the national League selection are treated. Irish league players are providing the opposition for the likes of Man city and Celtic and are offered just 300 euros.

Disgraceful offer to Irish professionals, and no excuse when John Delaney is on a €430000 a year salary, plus perks.
The man who described the Dublin super cup said would provide an excellent platform to showcase the Airtricity League.
Not that John Delaney will be in attendance.
Official Airtricity League Website
John Delaney will be on a four day jolly in Rio.

Journalists opinions on this debacle.
League of Ireland selection force better terms from FAI
SOCCER/DUBLIN SUPER CUP: THE AIRTRICITY League XI may not be expected to win too much on the pitch in the Dublin Super Cup this weekend, but they scored an important victory off it late last night. The 22 League of Ireland players forced the FAI into a climb-down as the governing body finally agreed to their request for “respectful” match fees and improved terms.

The day had been dominated by reports of paltry after-tax appearance money of €292.50, as well as the embarrassing fact the Irish squad are the only one of the four sides involved – including Manchester City, Inter Milan and Celtic – that will have to travel outside the Aviva Stadium to the Wanderers pavilion to shower after games.

In such circumstances, the players were angered enough to mandate PFAI general secretary Stephen McGuinness to force the issue with the FAI. Once he eventually made contact with Airtricity League director Fran Gavin, a reported appearance fee of €1,000 – up from €650 – as well as a total of six match tickets per player was soon agreed.

Despite yesterday’s controversy over showers, however, it is understood this was not one of the players’ major concerns. Although it effectively signifies they are being afforded a lower status than the three visiting teams, the main issues for the squad were “respect” and “recognition”.

One source among the players confirmed they felt the FAI were “penny-pinching” and hoping to get the League of Ireland squad on to the pitch “for as little as possible” despite looking to earn huge amounts from the tournament.

Given the fact many players had taken time off work and cancelled holidays to play and train, they felt a little more recognition than an after-tax fee of €292.50 was warranted. The players also thought this was a further insult given the amount of times they have accepted reduced terms from club financial difficulties.

The saga has caused particularly controversy because it has come so close to Saturday’s kick-off. However, one source said that was unavoidable due to the fact the 22-man panel was finalised so late.

And once the PFAI got Gavin to the table (the players had initially demanded John Delaney, who is on his way to Brazil for the World Cup qualifying draw) terms were agreed without recourse to threatening a boycott.

A PFAI statement read: “Following discussions between the general secretary of the PFAI and the director of the league, the PFAI is pleased to announce the issues between the Airtricity League XI and the FAI have been resolved.”
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/0728/1224301501907.html

The FAI spent almost €8,000 to save face last night, as the player payment dispute which threatened to derail this weekend's Dublin Super Cup was finally resolved.

In the end, the Airtricity League squad did not threaten a boycott of the tournament -- due to kick off with their game against Manchester City on Saturday -- as an agreement with the FAI was reached quite quickly once both sides eventually met.

It is understood that an increased appearance fee of approximately €1,000 -- up from €650 -- as well as a total of six match tickets per player was enough to resolve the dispute.

The 22 League of Ireland representatives had been so perturbed by the paltry terms of their participation on coming together on Tuesday night that they mandated PFAI general secretary Stephen McGuinness to force the issue with the FAI. But once McGuinness made contact with Airtricity League director Fran Gavin, the issues were ironed out.

The Irish selection will still not be able to have a shower at the Aviva Stadium because, while there are four dressing rooms in the 50,000-seat arena, only two of them have showers. A third has been fitted with showers for Celtic at a cost of around €50,000.

However, this was not one of the players' major concerns -- they will still have to travel to the Wanderers pavilion after their games in contrast to Celtic, Inter Milan and Manchester City -- but, instead, the squad were demanding "respect" and "recognition".

confirmed

One source among the players confirmed that they felt the FAI were "penny-pinching" and hoping to get the League of Ireland squad onto the pitch "for as little as possible" despite looking to earn huge amounts from the event.

Given the fact the players had often accepted reduced wages or even weeks without pay from the recent spate of club financial crises, they felt a little more acknowledgment than an after-tax fee of €292.50 was warranted. They also believed they deserved "recognition" for taking time off work and cancelling holidays to train for and play in the event.

The saga has caused controversy because it has come so close to Saturday's kick-off. But one source said that was unavoidable due to the fact the 22-man panel was finalised so late. And once the PFAI got Gavin to the table after the players had initially demanded FAI chief executive John Delaney -- who is on his way to Brazil for the World Cup qualifying draw -- terms were agreed without recourse to threatening a boycott.

Indeed, Airtricity League manager Damien Richardson had said earlier in the day at the competition's launch that he had been "guaranteed" the players would not withdraw, regardless of the outcome. Finally, a deal was concluded relatively easily.

- Miguel Delaney
Irish Independent
http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/fai-loosen-purse-strings-as-super-cup-row-resolved-2833186.html

League of Ireland squad for Dublin Super Cup Aviva

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League of Ireland squad for Dublin Super Cup Aviva