John Delaney has spent most of the week in Germany as a guest of the Leinster Football Association.
An LFA select was competing in the ‘Friendship Cup’, a tournament Delaney has attended in the past, but the FAI said last night “The Board of the Football Association of Ireland can confirm that John Delaney is not on FAI business in Germany or anywhere else.”
On Monday, it was revealed that Delaney was due in Germany that day but his plans changed in the wake of rapidly unfolding events regarding his FAI future.
That day, Delaney instead ‘voluntarily stepped aside’ from his role as FAI executive Vice President pending investigation, following a dramatic board meeting in Dublin.
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According to Sport Ireland, Delaney is on 'gardening leave' from the FAI but remains on the association's payroll.
Managed by Joey Malone, the LFA select flew to Germany on Monday as scheduled and Delaney followed them over on his own later in the week.
The LFA team played a match against Hessen FA in Grunberg on Tuesday and were in action again last night against Hessen’s development squad.
Delaney, who is also a member of UEFA’s executive committee, was not performing any role while in Germany and is due back in Ireland today.
On March 28, LFA president Gerry Gorman released a statement on behalf of the North East Football League in support of Delaney who was under mounting pressure to quit the FAI.
Former Irish international Liam O’Brien and ex-Bray Wanderers boss Dave Mackey are the assistant managers to Malone’s LFA team.
