New FAI Premier League Causes Chaos in Ireland

On Monday, December 11, 2006, the Football Association of Ireland made its announcentment about the new FAI Premier League in Ireland.

The announcement led to fan anger in Dundalk, when Dundalk failed to make the cut for the revamped league.

One man shut himself inside of the FAI headquarters in Dublin with a petrol canteen and threatened self-immolation. He moved a Christmas tree in front of the window and shouted at passers-by.

"It cost the club (Dundalk) 25,000 and for what? For what?....Three teams go down, it's law!" the man shouted out a representatives from the FAI and the Irish Gardai.

"The league up in Nothern Ireland makes a laugh of you, a laugh of you," the man jeered at FAI director, John Delaney.

The Gardai and the Dublin Fire Department worked to remove the man from building without harming anyone.

The man eventually surrendered, and his banner which read "Dundalk Fans Want Answers" was taken down.

The fans received their answer on Thursday, when the FAI issued an eight point statement about why Dundalk did not qualify for the Premier League.

According to the statement, a council of all 21 teams agreed to use team the records from as far back as 2002 in deciding who should qualify. According to the FAI, Dundalk was ranked 19th out of the 21 clubs in the last four seasons.

In other words, despite having a fantastic 71 point season, the team's previous record cut the team down to size.

The 12 to make the grade for the Premier League are: Bohemians, Bray Wanderers, Cork City, Derry City, Drogheda United, Galway United, Longford Town, St. Patrick's, Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne, Sligo Rovers, and UCD Dublin.

The anger of the Dundalk fans is understandable. Dundalk finished ahead of Galway United and only one point behind the Shamrock Rovers. However, these two teams have better records over the passed four seasons.

The chaos doesn' t end there. Limerick is currently out of the FAI all together. The team will not be allowed to participate in either the Premier League or First Division.

The team was warned on Monday that its licence was not on good standing. Today, the FAI announced that Limerick failed to qualify for its new license and as of now, Limerick will be without a professional soccer club.

Unfortunately for the FAI, its new league and tables have gotten off to poor start. The announcement of the chosen 12 led to chaos, and the nine teams who were to participate in the lower table have already lost one member.

The FAI and all of the fans will have a chance to make their decision about whether or not the changes are an improvement come March. The FAI will use the next three months to prepare the way for its new league's kick-off in 2007.