November 27 – Raymond Kennedy (pictured), the President of the Ireland Football Association (IFA), has defended the decision to give former chief executive Howard Wells a six-figure payout following criticism from Northern Ireland’s Sports Minister Nelson McCausland.
Kennedy maintains that the Wells payout – which was reportedly £200,000 plus legal costs - will not derail a new contract offer for Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington.
He said: “Why is everyone having a pop at the IFA?
“It’s easy to criticise but people do not see the good work that is going on.
“Everyone gets criticism, though we seem to get it every day of the week.”
Earlier this week, McCausland, speaking about the Wells pay-out, told the Northern Ireland Assembly: “In terms of governance and accountability, you will understand my concerns that this is money that could have been put to good use at all levels of the game.”
Wells was sacked from his £100,000 a year post in October 2008 after nearly four years with the Northern Ireland governing body.
The Englishman had claimed “victimisation on the grounds of racism”.
Kennedy was one of two individuals Wells named in his complaint.
The Minister added that the IFA “could be doing more” to “punch its weight” in attracting public funding on the same level as other sporting organisations.
But Kennedy claimed that they needed to generate their own money because they did not receive any funding.
He said: “The game against Italy in June generated £200,000 and we are coming out of positive meetings with Linfield on the stadium issue.
“Friendly matches will bring megabucks to the IFA and we are getting ready to lobby against the international matches going to terrestrial TV which will cripple all sport.
“Money coming from Sport NI and the Government goes straight to the clubs - the IFA does not get it.
“Life goes on and the IFA will go on and keep improving football, despite what critics will say.
“We aren’t sitting on our hands doing nothing.”
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November 2009: Irish Football Association agree to six-figure payout to Wells