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See Also: FAI Premier Division FAI First Division
The FAI eircom League of Ireland (Irish: ''Curadh na hÉireann Cumann Peile na hÉireann'') is the Republic of Ireland's new national football league system created following the merging of the FAI and the League Of Ireland . It is a revamped continuation of the old league. The merger brought an end to the administration system that was inaugurated in 1921 and run by the league's clubs. It replaced it with a new one under the sole auspices of the FAI. As planned, the league contains a total of 22 clubs (20 from the old League of Ireland system and 2 new clubs - Wexford Youths F.C. and Limerick 37 F.C. - to replace the now defunct Dublin City F.C. as well as Limerick F.C. who failed to receive a First Division licence on appeal) split into the 12-teamed Premier Division and the 10-teamed FAI First Division . The league is due to kick off in March 2007. There had initially been worries that the First Division would have to kick off with just 8 teams if 2 new suitable replacements could not be found in time to fill the empty slots. The new league will be managed and marketed entirely by the FAI and improved standards are expected. All clubs participating in the old league were invited to apply for inclusion in the new Premier Division. Those that did not make the cut will play in the FAI First Division, so long as they are in possession of the required licence. The league includes one club from Northern Ireland , Derry City . Derry City formerly played in the Irish Football League , but was forced to leave that league following the 1972- 73 season because of safety and security concerns. Derry City joined the Republic's league at the second level in 1985, after a special dispensation from the Irish Football Association (IFA) and UEFA . It won promotion in 1987, and has stayed in the top flight ever since, being granted entry to the new Premier Division recently also. No teams from the Republic play in the northern league. CHAIRMAN AND PROMOTIONAL OFFICERS At the final AGM of the League Of Ireland on Friday 8 December 2006 , out-going eircom League chairman Paddy McCaul was voted in unopposed as the FAI's new league chairman.1 He went on to describe the new venture as "the dawn of a new era". A National Promotion Officer was also appointed with the role of promoting the league to the public throughout the country. The appointment of a League Director as well as the selection of local Club Promotion Officers to each of the 12 Premier Division clubs was left to a later date. During 2007, the FAI will make €120,000 available to Premier Division clubs in order to deploy Club Promotion Officers to market the club and all its activities at local level to boost revenue, attendances, interest in the game, links with other local clubs and organisations promoting soccer in the club's catchment area. THE INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT GROUP, THEIR DECISION AND RESULTING CONTROVERSY On June 29 the clubs of the League Of Ireland voted to accept John Delaney 's proposals for change in the league system.2 The league make-up for 2007 onward would be decided by an Independent Assessment Group chaired by former FAI President Des Casey and appointed by the FAI. This group was to work from a set of pre-determined criteria for selection. Initially former footballer Niall Quinn was a member of the group before becoming manager of Sunderland . The decision of the Group was finally announced on 11 December in the Citywest Hotel, Dublin .3 The 21 clubs which took part in the process were ranked on the basis of points scored as a result of their achievements over the past five seasons on the pitch and how they measured up against specific criteria covering areas such as infrastructure, governance, strategic planning, finance, youth development and marketing. Twelve football clubs were chosen to participate in the Premier Division. A large quantity of speculation surrounded this decision. It was certain that Shelbourne , Derry City , Drogheda United , Cork City , Bohemians , St. Patrick's Athletic , Longford Town , Sligo Rovers , Shamrock Rovers and UCD would feature. Bray Wanderers were next in line. That left one remaining place which was expected to be filled by either Waterford United , Galway United or Dundalk . Out of these three Galway United were selected to participate. Galway United had issued a statement on their website prior to the official announcement that claimed they would be playing in the Premier Division but the club then said that it was only a conclusion they themselves reached after carrying out their own assessment of criteria. Their geographical status and facilities strengthened their case for inclusion. The final selection sparked controversy in Dundalk . Despite the fact that Dundalk FC had won what they perceived to be or believed should have been the annual promotion/relegation Play-Off, and what would have been a promotion/relegation game in any other normal season, in November 2006, they were one of the teams omitted from the 2007 FAI Premier Division and were, instead, chosen to play in the FAI First Division . Dundalk, however, argued that they had a right to compete in the Premier Division following their Play-Off defeat of Waterford United . "What was the point of the league taking our players and fans all the way down to Waterford if it counted for nothing?", questioned one official even though they were one of the clubs to vote for the FAI's new proposals earlier in 2006. Dundalk's protests had no real weight, however, as the 2006 season's game had never been billed as a promotion/relegation fixture. Furthermore, the claim that the game counted for nothing was technically incorrect - the Play-Off's purpose was solely to decide which teams were to be positioned in 12th and 13th place within the overall season standings of all 21 clubs for the purpose of the IAG's process and their dispensing of assessment points, and thus, it did contribute points to Dundalk's final assessment tally. However, that was little consolation. The difference between the two positions of 12th and 13th was a mere point anyway, which in the grand scheme of things did not make a significant difference to the final decision of the IAG. Although the game did count for something, it counted for very little and verged on pointlessness. Meanwhile, Galway United , who finished the season in 3rd place behind Dundalk's 2nd were chosen for the Premier Division. This infuriated Dundalk fans and on 13 December , 2006 a disgruntled fan protested the Independent Assessment Group's decision by entering the headquarters of the FAI in Dublin and dousing the reception area in petrol whilst threatening to set it alight. After about an hour the stand-off that developed ended peacefullly.4 After a subsequent meeting with the FAI, Dundalk's CEO, Gerry Matthews, expressed his satisfaction with the process, which he viewed to be above board.5 RANKING SYSTEM Entry into the FAI Premier Division was determined by the ranking in points of the former League Of Ireland teams by the Independent Assessment Group conforming to a number of selection criteria. The twelve highest ranked teams were entered into the FAI Premier Division for 2007, while the remainder made up the FAI First Division . Entry criteria and points allocation There is a 50-50 sporting/non-sporting breakdown to reinforce the FAI's position that on and off-pitch standards are of equal importance. Participation licences Participation by teams was also subject to the granting of specific participation licences. Participation in the Premier Division is subject to the attaining of an 'A' licence, while participation in the First Division is subject to the attaining of a 'B' licence. Currently, 12 clubs have been granted 'A' licences and 8 clubs have been designated 'B' licences. The licence system is compulsory under UEFA rules and sets a lower caliber threshold for participation in an attempt to maintain a consistent standard of quality, as well as promote development. Participation agreement In order to receive a participation licence, clubs must have signed a participation agreement, which is based on contractual principles. The participation agreement comprises a contract and 4 schedules. The schedules are detailed rules and regulations governing the operation of such matters as: #League Rules #Club Licensing #Commercial Rules #Anti-Doping Each rule/condition is supported by a governing/quasi-legal infrastructure allowing for critical aspects of the management of this agreement to be discharged consistently and fairly. The disciplinary infrastructure allows for charges to be proffered/complaints made, sanctions imposed, appeals heard and disputes resolved. In the event that a dispute arises, the process to be followed will be clear and in accordance with FAI Rules 28 and 29, which covers the areas of appeals and arbitration. The FAI National League Committee will be directed under its terms of reference to seek to mediate and come to an agreed solution as soon as possible in the event of a dispute. However, certain matters such as fixtures will not be subject to appeals. Selection of clubs for inaugural season TWO NEW CLUBS Following on from Dublin City 's withdrawal from the League of Ireland Premier Division in the middle of the 2006 season, the number of clubs in the old league was reduced to twenty-one (eleven in the old Premier Division). This left an extra gap to fill which was taken by a club that would have otherwise played in the new FAI First Division . That in turn required a new club to be accepted into the league to fill the slot and make up the numbers in the First Division. |
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