Ireland fans launch tennis balls onto pitch in protest at ex-chief executive John Delaney
IRELAND fans staged a tennis ball protest at controversial former CEO John Delaney during their clash with Georgia.
Irish fans have waged a long campaign against Delaney, who quit his job last weekend after 14 years in his position.
But the fact he has elected to take up a role as vice-president of the FAI has left the country’s fans fuming, and they made their feelings known during the Euro 2020 qualifier in Dublin.
There is anger within the supporters that the FAI has been paying 3,000-euros-a-month (£2,600) renting a home for Delaney on top of his 360,000 euro (£307,000) salary.
Play was held up for 60 seconds just after 30 minutes into the match at the Aviva Stadium as balls were launched onto the pitch from all angle.
Ironically, the stoppage came after Ireland had been awarded a free-kick, which when play resumed Conor Hourinhane curled into the net to hand them the lead.
TENNIS RACKET
The tennis ball protest had been threatened in the build up to the match – something boss Mick McCarthy was aware of.
He said: “I can’t do anything about it, although maybe I’ll take a tennis racket with me.
“I’ve been at games at Charlton when people have done it and it’s not going to help us play any better.
“They’re coming to watch a football match, they want us to win and give us the best chance and that’s by getting behind us.
“I’d like fans to come and support the team.
“If they have to demonstrate about anything, do it somewhere else and at a different time. We don’t want it to affect the performance.”
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McCarthy had a cheeky dig at Delaney’s new job and said: “That’s going to be a hell of a title for his door, isn’t it? He’ll have some wide door.”
But he added: “I don’t get involved with things I can’t affect, the only thing I can affect is our preparation for the game, to try to make sure that is nailed down and get a good performance.
“If we do people will think better about us. The mood is great when fans are behind the team, it’s up to me to get that back.”