John Delaney is no longer a member of UEFA’s powerful executive committee.
The former chief executive of the troubled FAI has today resigned with immediate effect.
Delaney’s departure was expected as he had effectively been sidelined by European football’s governing body since the FAI crisis exploded in March last year.
UEFA chiefs maintained a vow of silence during that time and refused to comment publicly on Delaney’s future - until today.
Delaney was a member of the UEFA ExCo since April 2017 and pocked €160,000 a year on top of his FAI salary.
But a UEFA statement today read: “UEFA takes note of John Delaney’s resignation with immediate effect from his position as UEFA Executive Committee member which was due to end in 2021.
“During his time on the Executive Committee, John Delaney played a leading role in helping UEFA to achieve many things.
“He was instrumental in the expansion of the EURO to 24 teams, which proved such a success in 2016.
“Several teams that may not otherwise have qualified proved that they have a contribution to make on the biggest stage, with Wales’ run to the semifinals and Iceland’s elimination of England standing out as examples of this.
“He was an important figure in the move to centralise the TV rights across national team competitions – something which has benefitted all UEFA member associations and which was rolled out into the new UEFA Nations League tournament.”
The statement concluded: “UEFA wishes him well in the future.” Delaney - who has maintained a vow of silence since his exit from the FAI last year - was not quoted in the UEFA statement.
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