WCQ - UEFA

Controversial Irish soccer official resigns from UEFA

Published Jan. 20, 2020 9:25 a.m. ET

NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Ireland’s top soccer official has resigned from the UEFA executive committee after months of being effectively suspended from taking part in decision-making.

John Delaney’s exit, announced Monday by UEFA, removes him from soccer leadership after he intended to take a key role in a possible British and Irish bid to host the 2030 World Cup.

Delaney tried to cling to power within the Dublin-based Football Association of Ireland, where he had been CEO and treasurer, despite its troubled financial affairs and himself being investigated by national media and government.

After a series of newspaper reports last year, UEFA kept Delaney from attending meetings and high-profile games.

Delaney was still eligible during his suspension to collect the reported 160,000 euros ($177,000) annual stipend UEFA pays its executive committee members. He was elected to a first four-year term in 2017.

Delaney’s belated resignation leaves UEFA too little time to call a vote to replace him at its annual meeting on March 3 in Amsterdam.

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