Boyce calls for peace in Ireland - Inside World Football

By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

September 6 – Jim Boyce, the former President of the Irish Football Association (IFA), who will soon be the UK’s most senior football politician, today urged an end to the in-fighting that is overshadowing the sport there.

He made his plea ahead of a vital IFA Council in Belfast tonight which will discuss how to end an impasse that begun when current IFA President Raymond Kennedy, vice-President David Martin, treasurer Neil Jardine and potential future President Jim Shaw all resigned from the the organisation’s Executive Board.

Kennedy had promised to resign as President following a Government-ordered report that criticised him and Martin for their role in the dismissal of the IFA’s former chief executive Howard Wells from in October 2008 from his £105,000 ($222,000) a year post.

It was a decision that cost the IFA £516,000 ($766,000) in compensation and legal fees after Wells sued for unfair dismissal.

There is now confusion over whether Kennedy will step down or not amid warnings from the Northern Ireland Government that the IFA are putting at risk a £30 million ($45 million) redevelopment of Windsor Park if he stays.

Boyce, who was replaced by Kennedy three years ago and who is due to become Britain’s FIFA vice-president next year, wants a solution found.

“I’ve been very saddened by everything that has gone on at the Irish FA and the amount of bad publicity that it has generated,” Boyce told the Belfast Telegraph.

“It would appear that certain individuals are more concerned with themselves than the association.

“One thing that really has to stop in order to move on is the apparent petty jealousies and all the jockeying for positions which has caused so much friction within IFA ranks.”

Boyce and Kennedy have a difficult relationship after the latter effectively forced the former out in 2007.

Boyce said: “There’s an old saying in life that you can forgive, but never forget.

“Had I been informed before the election, especially from within my own association who put my name forward, that people felt there should be a change I would have made it easy for them given the lobbying going on behind my back.

“I was surprised at what happened because at that time the association had never been in a stronger position from a financial or playing point of view.

“We had brought in in excess of £15 million through new sponsorship and TV revenue and the Northern Ireland team was going very well.

“I prefer to keep my dignity and hopefully next year if my health allows when I become vice-president of FIFA I will continue to promote the image of Northern Ireland football home and abroad.”

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