FAI League of Ireland

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FAI League of Ireland
Current season or competition: FAI League of Ireland 2008 season

Sport	Football
Founded	2006
No. of teams	22
Country(ies)	Ireland
Most recent champion(s)	2007 Drogheda United

The FAI eircom League of Ireland is the Republic of Ireland's new national football league system created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. It is a revamped continuation of the old league. The merger brought an end to the administration system that was inaugurated in 1921 and run by the league's clubs. It replaced it with a new one under the sole auspices of the FAI. The league contains a total of 22 clubs split into the 12-teamed Premier Division and the 10-teamed FAI First Division. The league kicked off in March 2008.

The new league is managed and marketed entirely by the FAI and improved standards are expected. All clubs participating in the old league were invited to apply for inclusion in the new Premier Division. Those that did not make the cut played in the FAI First Division, so long as they are were possession of the required licence.

The league includes one club from Northern Ireland, Derry City. Derry City formerly played in the Irish Football League, but voluntarily left that league following the 1972-73 season because of safety and security concerns. Derry City joined the Republic's league at the second level in 1985, after a special dispensation from the Irish Football Association (IFA) and UEFA. It won promotion in 1987, and has stayed in the top flight ever since, being granted entry to the new Premier Division recently also. No teams from the Republic play in the northern league.

[edit] Chairman and promotional officers

At the final AGM of the League of Ireland on Friday 8 December 2006, out-going eircom League chairman Paddy McCaul was voted in unopposed as the FAI's new league chairman.^[1] He went on to describe the new venture as "the dawn of a new era".

A National Promotion Officer was also appointed with the role of promoting the league to the public throughout the country. The appointment of a League Director as well as the selection of local Club Promotion Officers to each of the 12 Premier Division clubs was left to a later date. During 2007, the FAI will make €120,000 available to Premier Division clubs in order to deploy Club Promotion Officers to market the club and all its activities at local level to boost revenue, attendances, interest in the game, links with other local clubs and organisations promoting soccer in the club's catchment area.

[edit] The Independent Assessment Group

On June 29 the clubs of the League of Ireland voted to accept John Delaney's proposals for change in the league system.¹^[2] The league make-up for 2007 onward would be decided by an Independent Assessment Group chaired by former FAI President Des Casey and appointed by the FAI. This group was to work from a set of pre-determined criteria for selection. Initially former footballer Niall Quinn was a member of the group before becoming manager of Sunderland.

The decision of the Group was finally announced on 11 December in the Citywest Hotel, Dublin.^[3] The 21 clubs which took part in the process were ranked on the basis of points scored as a result of their achievements over the past five seasons on the pitch and how they measured up against specific criteria covering areas such as infrastructure, governance, strategic planning, finance, youth development and marketing. Twelve football clubs were chosen to participate in the Premier Division. A large quantity of speculation surrounded this decision. It was certain that Shelbourne, Derry City, Drogheda United, Cork City, Bohemians, St. Patrick's Athletic, Longford Town, Sligo Rovers, Shamrock Rovers and UCD would feature. Bray Wanderers were next in line. That left one remaining place which was expected to be filled by either Waterford United, Galway United or Dundalk. Out of these three Galway United were selected to participate.

Galway United had issued a statement on their website prior to the official announcement that claimed they would be playing in the Premier Division but the club then said that it was only a conclusion they themselves reached after carrying out their own assessment of criteria. Their geographical status and facilities strengthened their case for inclusion.

The final selection sparked controversy in Dundalk. Despite the fact that Dundalk FC had won what they perceived to be or believed should have been the annual promotion/relegation Play-Off, and what would have been a promotion/relegation game in any other normal season, in November 2006, they were one of the teams omitted from the 2007 FAI Premier Division and were, instead, chosen to play in the FAI First Division. Dundalk, however, argued that they had a right to compete in the Premier Division following their Play-Off defeat of Waterford United. "What was the point of the league taking our players and fans all the way down to Waterford if it counted for nothing?", questioned one unnamed official even though they were one of the clubs to vote for the FAI's new proposals earlier in 2006. Dundalk's protests had no real weight, however, as the 2006 season's game had never been billed as a promotion/relegation fixture. Furthermore, the claim that the game counted for nothing was incorrect - the Play-Off's purpose was solely to decide which teams were to be positioned in 12th and 13th place within the overall season standings of all 21 clubs for the purpose of the IAG's process and their dispensing of assessment points, and thus, it did contribute points to Dundalk's final assessment tally. However, that was little consolation. The difference between the two positions of 12th and 13th was a mere point anyway, which in the grand scheme of things did not make a significant difference to the final decision of the IAG. Meanwhile, Galway United, who finished the season in 3rd place behind Dundalk's 2nd were chosen for the Premier Division. After a subsequent meeting with the FAI, Dundalk's CEO, Gerry Matthews, expressed his satisfaction with the process, which he viewed to be above board.^[4]

[edit] Ranking system

Entry into the FAI Premier Division was determined by the ranking in points of the former League of Ireland teams by the Independent Assessment Group conforming to a number of selection criteria. The twelve highest ranked teams were entered into the FAI Premier Division for 2007, while the remainder made up the FAI First Division.

[edit] Entry criteria and points allocation

There is a 50-50 sporting/non-sporting breakdown to reinforce the FAI's position that on and off-pitch standards are of equal importance.

Criteria	Scoring	Detailed Breakdown / Notes
2002/03 - 2005 Seasons	30%	Performances across the league, cups and European competition in the 2002/03; 2003; 2004 and 2005 playing seasons were scored in accordance with the system approved. Tallied points equated to rankings from 1 to 21 and scoring points were allocated from 300 pts. through to 90 pts.
2006 Season	20%	FIFA system was used as a template. Total points gained across all competitions during the season were tallied and used to rank clubs from 1 to 21. Scoring points were assigned against rank from 200 pts. for the club ranked 1st through to 67 pts. for the club ranked 21st as follows: 200 - 193 - 187 - 180 - 173 - 167 - 160 - 153 - 147 - 140 - 133 - 127 - 120 - 113 - 107 - 100 - 93 - 87 - 80 - 73 - 67
Infrastructure	10%	Considerations here included: Safe-holding (minimum of 3,000), unencumbered access, ownership, long-term lessee, number of covered seats, plans regarding infrastructure development, etc. Long-term view: Club Infrastructure Development Plan (CIDP) = 60 pts. Immediate view: Stadium certificate = 40 pts.
Governance and Finance	15%	Only those applicants eligible to apply for an 'A' licence were considered for the assessment process. Governance: Organisational Structure / Suitability / Business plan / Stability / Ownership / Board and Roles = 50 pts. Finance: Controls, Health Check, Status, etc. = 100 pts
Sustainability: Benchmarking, Youth Development and Strategic Planning	15%	Benchmarking was based on licensing compliance record (i.e. 3-year trends) and provided the Independent Assessment Group with a clear picture of the applicant’s performance against the licensing requirements. It also provided a good indication as to progress made and the future sustainability/governance/infrastructure of applicants. The benchmarking process was carried out by the Licensing Unit and monitored by the Licensing Committee. Each applicant was asked to submit its strategy for the continuing development of its organisation. Club representatives were invited to meet with the IAG. The outcomes of the one-to-one meetings and the comprehensive analysis of the material provided allowed the IAG to form an opinion and allocate a score. Benchmarking: Licensing compliance record = 30 pts. (10 pts. per year 04, 05 and 06) Youth Development = 50 pts. Previous performance (e.g. Evidence / Rollout of Technical Development plan) = 20 pts. Plans for 07 (as per Licensing Requirements) = 10 pts. Plans for the Future = 20 pts. Each club was invited to meet the IAG (between 18-20 October) to discuss its strategy for development. Presentations and material provided = 70 pts.
Target Markets, Population Densities and Attendance Figures	10%	Population data was used to highlight densities against existing clubs and the trends in their attendance rates. Those applicants, who stood alone in areas of large target markets and who have established a solid base of support as indicated by their consolidated attendance figures were allocated high scores in this category. Top Attendances (Average of Three Seasons) = 30 pts. Attendances weighted against league standings to recognise success in promoting club in challenging environment = 30 pts. Future Plans = 40 pts.

[edit] Participation licences

Participation by teams was also subject to the granting of specific participation licences. Participation in the Premier Division is subject to the attaining of an 'A' licence, while participation in the First Division is subject to the attaining of a 'B' licence. Currently, 12 clubs have been granted 'A' licences and 8 clubs have been designated 'B' licences. The licence system is compulsory under UEFA rules and sets a lower caliber threshold for participation in an attempt to maintain a consistent standard of quality, as well as promote development.

[edit] Participation agreement

In order to receive a participation licence, clubs must have signed a participation agreement, which is based on contractual principles. The participation agreement comprises a contract and 4 schedules. The schedules are detailed rules and regulations governing the operation of such matters as:

League Rules
Club Licensing
Commercial Rules
Anti-Doping

Each rule/condition is supported by a governing/quasi-legal infrastructure allowing for critical aspects of the management of this agreement to be discharged consistently and fairly. The disciplinary infrastructure allows for charges to be proffered/complaints made, sanctions imposed, appeals heard and disputes resolved. In the event that a dispute arises, the process to be followed will be clear and in accordance with FAI Rules 28 and 29, which covers the areas of appeals and arbitration. The FAI National League Committee will be directed under its terms of reference to seek to mediate and come to an agreed solution as soon as possible in the event of a dispute. However, certain matters such as fixtures will not be subject to appeals.

[edit] Selection of clubs for inaugural season

Clubs chosen to compete in the Premier Division:

The remainder of clubs played in the First Division:

[edit] Two new clubs

Following on from Dublin City's withdrawal from the League of Ireland Premier Division in the middle of the 2006 season, the number of clubs in the old league was reduced to twenty-one (eleven in the old Premier Division). This left an extra gap to fill which was taken by a club that would have otherwise played in the new FAI First Division. That in turn required a new club to be accepted into the league to fill the slot and make up the numbers in the First Division.

Furthermore, on 15 December 2006 it was revealed that Limerick F.C., who were benchmarked to play in the First Division for the 2007 season subject to a successful licence appeal, were not granted the requisite licence by the FAI's Club Licensing First Instance Committee. They appealed to the Club Licensing Appeal Board but the initial decision was upheld.^[5] The club licensing process governed by UEFA has been in operation since 2004 and sets out to ensure certain minimum standards are in place at every club. With almost €4,000 in outstanding fines, a below-par youth system and no stadium, as a long-term lease on Hogan Park had not been agreed, Limerick FC's league involvement came to the end of the road. The ruling meant that Limerick, the Republic's third largest city, could have been without a senior soccer side for the 2007 season - a first in 70 years - but John Delaney, the FAI's chief executive, although disappointed, urged prospective applicants from the area to make a case for inclusion in the new FAI-run league. Eager to welcome applications for a licence from other clubs in the Limerick area, he stated, "We want a healthy Limerick based club in the new eircom League of Ireland and if interested entities seek a licence, we would assess them carefully for their suitability to meet the criteria required to play in the league."

The final identity of the possible two new clubs no longer remained unknown after it was announced on 6 February, 2007 that Wexford Youths F.C., were invited to partake. The establishment of this new side owed to a growing support for a senior club in County Wexford, led by millionaire construction magnate Mick Wallace.^[6] It was also understood that a new entity, known as Limerick 37, had formed and applied with the intention of taking the place of Limerick FC in the First Division for the 2007 season. Outside of Limerick and Wexford, other early indications had pointed to a possible new club from the south or west, in particular County Mayo or County Kerry. If the FAI had not been successful in finding replacements due to a failure on the applicants part in meeting the required standard for entry, they may have had to start the 2007 season with only 8 First Division sides.

However, to add further complications to the beginning of the new season, Limerick FC chairman, Danny Drew, was granted an interim court injunction on 16 January 2007 stopping the introduction of any new clubs into the leagues. The injunction prevented the FAI from negotiating any contracts with any new entity to replace Limerick FC for a period. It was also believed that the injunction stopped the FAI from granting a licence to another new team and also prevented the participation agreement being signed by any of the proposed new national league sides which had applied for a licence. Worries were that the decision could have resulted in the formation of the new look Premier Division and First Division being put back while the case ran its course as initially the FAI had planned to have all clubs signed up to the participation agreement by 17 January 2007.^[7] However, the case failed at the subsequent stage and it seemed only to have delayed the expected invitation of Limerick 37, who were eventually awarded with a First Division licence on 9 February 2007.

[edit] Competition format, prize money, media coverage and sponsorship

[edit] Competition

[edit] 2007

There are twelve participating clubs in the Premier Division (although the FAI is planning to reduce this to ten clubs by 2009) and the plans are to have ten clubs in the First Division for 2007. During the course of the 2007 season (which will last from March to November) each Premier Division club will play the respective others three times. A pre-season draw will decide which clubs will have the benefit of two home games in these matches. First Division sides will play each other four times throughout the season - two games at home and two games at the stadium of the opposition. Each team in the Premier Division will play 33 matches in total during a season, while those in the First Division will play 36 games. Teams will receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points will be awarded for a loss. Teams will be ranked by total points, then goal difference and then goals scored. If there is equality in points, goal difference and goals for tallies the clubs involved must partake in a play-off to decide their finishing positions. At the end of the season, the club with the most points in their division will be crowned as champion of that division. The lowest placed team in the Premier Division is automatically relegated into the First Division and the top team from the First Division will be automatically promoted to the Premier Division. In addition, the 2007 winner of the First Division will have a once-off play-off with the winners of the FAI League Cup for a Setanta Cup place. Furthermore, the second-last placed team in the Premier Division will play either the second-best or third-best placed team in the First Division in a two-legged promotion/relegation play-off after the second-placed and third-placed teams play each other in a once-off play-off match. The second-placed team in this pairing will have home advantage with the winner of the game having the chance to play the 11th-place finisher in the Premier Division both at home and away (with the First Division side being given the choice of home advantage in the first or second leg of the series). The aggregate winner of this two-legged tie will play the following 2008 season in the Premier Division with the loser resigned to playing in the First Division. The team that finishes last in the First Division must re-apply to the FAI for membership to the following season's league.

[edit] 2008

The 2008 season will be a transitional season which should see the Premier Division being reduced to 10 teams from 12 for the 2009 season. 2008 will also see the introduction of an 'A' League Championship (comprising of non-league entities and applicants) national competition. The three bottom clubs will be automatically relegated from the Premier Division at the season's conclusion with only the First Division winner getting promoted. No play-off will be necessary.

The 'A' Championship, for initiation in the 2008 season, will contain between 20 and 30 clubs depending on the strategic needs of the FAI. The idea developed from the accepted need to link underage competition, national league standard competition and other structures operating at non-professional levels. It builds on the need to ‘enliven’ the prospect of relegation from First Division and the objectives of the FAI to provide player and organisational pathways to the highest level of the game in Ireland. The last-placed team in the First Division will be challenged by the best non-league performer for its place in the First Division. The 'A' Championship will start in June. The three non-league teams currently accepted to compete in the 2008 'A' Championship are Mervue United, Tullamore Town and Salthill Devon. Sporting Fingal were also accepted to play in the 'A' Championship, but instead took the place of Kilkenny City in the 2008 FAI First Division. The 'A' Championship will also include the reserve teams of several of the eircom League’s biggest clubs.

[edit] 2009

In 2009 the Premier Division will contain ten teams and the First Division will be made up of twelve sides. Only clubs which have entered into a Participation Agreement with the FAI will be allowed to compete.

Movement between the Premier Division and the First Division will be via one automatic promotion (first place in the First Division) and one automatic relegation place (tenth/last place in the Premier Division) along with a play-off series. The eighth and ninth-placed finishers in the Premier Division will contest a play-off match. The winner of this game will retain their place in the top tier, while he loser will compete in a home-and-away play-off series against the winner of a second-versus-third-place play-off match from the First Division to decide the final place for the next seasons Premier League.

Movement between the First Division and the ‘A’ Championship will be via a promotion/relegation play-off between last place (12th in the First Division) and an ‘A’ Championship qualifier seeking promotion to the First Division.

As part of its ongoing work in overseeing the continuing development of the League, the FAI National League Committee will be charged with reviewing upwards the amount of prize money on offer by the start of the 2009 season.

[edit] Qualification for European competitions

The top team in the Premier Division qualifies for the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round and must win three two-legged knockout ties against higher seeded and stronger opposition with progression in order to enter the group phase. The second-placed team qualifies for the UEFA Cup first qualifying round. They, similarly, must go through three two-legged knockout ties in order to enter the Second Round group phase of that competition. The third-placed team enter the Intertoto Cup. There is another UEFA Cup first qualifying round slot reserved for the winners of the domestic FAI Cup. If it were to happen that a cup-winner has already qualified for the UEFA Cup via the league, the cup-win qualification will take prominence and the league-place qualification will be transferred to the next team who finished below them in the league. This, in turn, will also cause a downward transfer of the Intertoto Cup qualification place to the next team in line. However, if the case is that the cup-winner has already won the league, that team will take a place in the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds, by way of its league-win, and the losing team in the FAI Cup final will take the UEFA Cup spot on offer from that competition.

[edit] UEFA coefficient

The FAI National League's UEFA coefficient accumulates to a total value of 6.498 as of the 2006/07 European season (now completed as all Irish entrants have been knocked out).

[edit] Current national league UEFA ranking

32 Bosnia Herzegovina
33 Lithuania
34 Ireland
35 Moldova
36 Liechtenstein

Full list

[edit] Background information

Ireland's national league coefficient has been steadily improving in recent years. The League of Ireland's move to 'Summer football' at the beginning of the 2003 season, which was seen to be beneficial for team fitness and coherency when the qualifying campaigns come round, and the introduction of full-time professional football by a number of top sides, has aided this promising progress. Due to the swift development in the past few years, combined with the fact that UEFA accords its coefficient values based on results over five previous seasons, Irish clubs' coefficients give a somewhat inaccurate impression of the current standard of play in the eircom League, with many believing that an accurate representation of the standard of play would see Irish clubs ranked higher. Signs of the vast improvement are evident in the fact that League of Ireland clubs have consistently overcome sides from the Swedish league (currently ranked 28th by UEFA after the position has deteriorated recently due, in a large way, to the steady latter-day success of Irish teams over their Swedish counterparts to quite an extent) in recent years. Cork City, for example, went past Djurgårdens IF in 2005 after having earlier beaten Malmo FF 4-1 on aggregate in 2004, while Derry City beat former UEFA Cup winners, IFK Göteborg, 2-0 on aggregate in 2006. They then went on to defeat Gretna, a side from the Scottish First Division, the second tier in the Scottish system (the Premier League is ranked 10th by UEFA), 7-3 on aggregate.

The poor ranking (currently 34th) has led to under-estimation of the league's standard and before Derry City's win over IFK Göteborg, Niclas Alexandersson rather misguidedly suggested that his team could take a holiday and still walk over the League of Ireland side.^[8]

[edit] Discipline

If a player accumulates four cautions he shall be suspended for 1 game. Following the suspension, if the same player accumulates a further four cautions, he shall be suspended for another 1 game. Any player who receives in excess of 12 cautions in any one season shall receive a 2-match suspension for the 12th caution and thereafter 3 matches for every further 4 cautions. Any suspension or part thereof, which remains outstanding at the end of the season must be served at the commencement of the following season. However, at the end of each season, players with up to 3 outstanding cautions shall not have these cautions carried forward to the next season.

In all FAI National League competitions and FAI National Cup competitions an expulsion automatically incurs a suspension from the subsequent match of the same competition. Following receipt of the referees report the relevant disciplinary body may at its discretion extend the duration of the suspension and/or impose fines. If it is not possible to impose the automatic one match suspension on a player in that current season, then the Disciplinary Body shall have the power to impose the automatic one match suspension in another domestic competitive match. Should the same player be dismissed again in the same season the following punishments shall apply:

2nd sending off - suspended for 1 match
3rd sending off - suspended for 2 matches
4th sending off - suspended for 4 matches

For five or more dismissals in the season the player shall be suspended for 6 matches. Any suspension or part thereof which remains outstanding at the end of the season must be served at the commencement of the following season. All of the foregoing suspensions are the minimum penalties. Leagues may impose suspensions above this minimum depending on the nature of the offences committed. With the exception of the Automatic one match suspension, all of the mentioned penalties may be appealed through the various Divisional Associations and in accordance with the Rules of the Association and FIFA.

[edit] Prize funds

Between the National League, FAI Cup, FAI League Cup and the Setanta Cup a prize fund in excess of €1 million will be available. The FAI will be investing a total of €803,000 for prize funds in 2007. The prize fund for the Premier Division in 2007 will reach €450,000 with the winner being awarded €225,000. The First Division winner's prize fund in 2007 will be €50,000, with the total amount available reaching €100,000.

[edit] Media coverage

The broadcasting partners of the FAI - Setanta Sports, TV3 and RTÉ - will show over 50 live games in the 2007. These games will include FAI National League games, as well as Setanta Cup matches and FAI Cup matches. The rights to show a weekly highlights programme have been given to RTÉ who will show Monday Night Soccer every week of the 2008 season and beyond. This comes after the TV3 programme Eircom League Weekly was cancelled.

In Australia the FAI League of Ireland is currently available on Setanta Sports.

[edit] Sponsorship

The FAI National League is sponsored by Irish telecommunications company, eircom. The FAI National League is also sponsored by the England based company, Umbro.

[edit] History

See Football League of Ireland History for a brief history of the national league of the Republic of Ireland.

[edit] Past winners

[edit] Premier League

2007 - Drogheda United

See League of Ireland Premier Division Winners for a list of past winners of the Republic of Ireland's top tier competition between 1921 and 2006.

[edit] First Division

2007 - Cobh Ramblers

See League of Ireland First Division Winners for a list of past winners of the Republic of Ireland's second tier competition between 1985 and 2006.

[edit] Derbies

The following is a list of notable local derbies that occur in the league.

The Cork Derby - Cork City FC v. Cobh Ramblers FC
The Dublin Derby³ - Bohemian FC v. Shamrock Rovers FC
The Registration Derby³ - St. Patrick's Athletic v. Shelbourne FC
The Northwest Derby - Finn Harps FC v. Derry City FC
The Louth Derby - Drogheda United v. Dundalk FC
The Midlands Derby - Longford Town FC v. Athlone Town FC
The Connacht Derby - Galway United FC v. Sligo Rovers FC
The Munster Derby - Limerick 37 v. Waterford United FC
The second Munster Derby - Cork City FC v. Waterford United FC
The Franchise Derby - Limerick 37 v. Sporting Fingal

[edit] Footnotes

Note 1: FAI/eircom League Implementation Committee - Proposals on the strategic direction of the National League 2007-2012 PDF Document.
Note 2: Liechtenstein has no properly recognised league championship. Therefore, the country has no UEFA Champions League entrants, although the cup winners enter the UEFA Cup.
Note 3: There are currently 5 Dublin sides in the League of Ireland. Any Dublin team playing another is regarded as a Dublin derby but these derbies are usually contested most keenly.