The saga rumbles on. Yesterday morning's news that John Foley would not be taking over the role of interim CEO of the FAI came as quite a surprise and sparked a day of news coming from the organisation with it later emerging that Foley had turned down the position after discussions with Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross who wants the organisation to be free of any connections to John Delaney. This political interference has caused significant frustration for the organisation and it is now expected that they will publish new financial results on Thursday which will also reveal the payoff agreed with John Delaney. The accounts are expected to lay bare the seriousness of the FAI's financial plight which, according to the trade union Siptu, has morale among staff at an all-time low as rumours swirl that there could be up to 100 job losses. In news on the pitch (sort of) Lionel Messi was last night named the winner of the Ballon d'Or for a record sixth time while Megan Rapinoe won the women's award.
On to rugby and Gerry Thornley writes this morning that World Rugby must act fast to stop a precedent being set after Edinburgh's pad-holding exploits against Munster. On Friday night in Cork, as Munster were driving for a try, Edinburgh loosehead prop Pierre Schoeman lifted the padding from the bottom of the visitors' left-hand upright in a move that seemed to confound both fans and the officials. "It would be surprising if Edinburgh supporters were especially proud of, or even enchanted by, the sight of two of their players doing this, or that supporters generally would like to see their team employing such a dastardly act," he writes. This weekend the focus turns back to European matters and yesterday Leinster coach Felipe Contepomi spoke ahead of their clash with Northampton about the plate-spinning act in setting out teams for the Pro14 and the Champions Cup with big matches now coming in such quick succession. Ulster were also in media action yesterday ahead of their meeting with Harlequins. The province are the unbeaten leaders in Pool Three and are looking to maintain that strong record with the return this weekend of Iain Henderson and Jacob Stockdale.
Moving to GAA and the Dublin county board remain intent on appointing a successor to Jim Gavin as soon as possible with first discussions taking place at a meeting of the management committee last night. However, the suggestion that Pat Gilroy will be given first refusal is premature, according to county chairman Seán Shanley. Out in Abu Dhabi the All-Stars are having a grand old time of it and even the referees are allowed in on the act with David Gough and his father Eugene sitting down with a few journalists yesterday to discuss how they work as a team when officiating the biggest matches.
Finally to racing and Brian O'Connor was in Joseph O'Brien's yard in Kilkenny yesterday where the young trainer said he wouldn't be giving his brother Donnacha too much of a leg up now that he's gone into the training game himself.
