DUBLIN: John Delaney has switched to a new role within the Football Association of Ireland just over a week before he is scheduled to answer questions from a parliamentary committee a €100,000 loan he provided to the governing body in 2017.

Delaney, who has said it was the only time he gave such a loan and that it was repaid in full, is to remain in the FAI he has led as ceo since 2005 in a new role of executive vice-president.

This is important not only for the FAI in keeping him on board but in fulfilling one of the conditions of Delaney’s status as member of the eecutive commitee of European federation UEFA.

Rea Walshe, promoted to the role of chief operation officer only a month ago, has become interim chief executive.

The chair shuffling was announced at the weekend after the Republic of Ireland opened their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with a 1-0 win over Gibraltar.

Delaney, in a statement, said: “This past fortnight has been very difficult for me on a personal and professional level and I would like to thank the Board and my work colleagues across the FAI for their support.

“It is time now for a new start and I am really looking forward to serving Irish football as best I can as executive vice-president.”

The FAI said the moves were a result of a management structure review which had been commissioned last month. Delaney will have responsibility for international matters including all FIFA and UEFA matters and FAI tournament bidding projects.

Delaney’s loan issue erupted to public attention at the start of last week in the The Sunday Times which succeeded with a court application to prevent Delaney keeping the matter secret.

The FAI has since had to explain the payment to Ireland’s corporate watchdog, Sport Ireland. The state-funded body has said the FAI had not fulfilled its duty of notify it about a deterioration in its finances.

Delaney has been the FAI’s chief executive since 2005 on a reported €360,000-a-year.

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