Kennedy concedes defeat in battle to stay as President of IFA

By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

August 8 – A warning from the Northern Ireland Government that they will not fund a £30 million ($45 million) redevelopment of Windsor Park has forced Raymond Kennedy to accept that he has to step down as the President of the Irish Football Association (IFA).

Kennedy had allegedly said he would be “going nowhere” at a meeting of the IFA Executive Board last week, despite being heavily criticised in a Government-ordered report for ignoring legal advice over the sacking of IFA chief executive Howard Wells in October 2008 from his £105,000 ($222,000) a year post as chief executive.

Kennedy and vice-president Dave Martin had agreed to stand down last month following unanimous vote by the Executive Board of Directors but they appeared determined to hang onto their positions, which led to Northern Ireland Sports Minister Nelson McCausland warning that they would not fund the work needed on Windsor Park if they stayed.

McCausland’s threat appears to have finally convinced Kennedy that he and Martin must step down.

“There is no way I would stand in the way of progress for football here,” Kennedy said.

“I will do what I believe is best for football – there is no question of personal interest.

“I will be offering my resignation, as previously stated, to the IFA Council next month.

“I expect them to accept that and to be allowed to step down with dignity.

“I will not be asking for a vote on whether or not I should go.

“There is no way I would put football in a position where the funding needed to move the game forward would come under threat.”

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