Buffeted by turbulence, what the FAI need now is quiet calm

Staff at the FAI could see the humorous side of Jonathan Hill’s tumultuous three-and-a-half-year tenure as chief executive ending with a holiday.

The FAI board yesterday confirmed his departure for April 30 but annual leave entitlements will occupy his final fortnight in office, away from the office.

Hill succeeded John Delaney as permanent chief executive in November 2020, yet has been under mounting pressure since a calamitous appearance before the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on February 22.

He became embroiled in controversy after a Sports Ireland-commissioned audit by KOSI discovered Hill had received €11,500 payment in lieu of untaken holidays, a breach of the company’s HR handbook he approved.

Unpaid benefit in kind tax of €8,000 on commuting expenses from the workbase he maintained in London was also settled in arrears.

Initially he denied to staff and politicians at the Joint Oireachtas Committee in December that he "pushed for it" but admitted at the second hearing in Leinster House a “throwaway” remark of "Can you negotiate the same for me please?" lay behind redacted emails in correspondence with the then financial director.

Another email included his reply of “perfect” to Alex O’Connell finalising the payment, a departure from the norm that had been granted to one junior, exiting employee.

Once President Paul Cooke revealed under questioning at the hearing that his confidence in the CEO was challenged by these events, trouble brewed and Hill’s position was untenable.

Inquisitive politicians dismissed Hill’s version of events; Alan Dillon particularly scathing by branding it a “cock and bull” story.

Chairman Tony Keohane, who stated upon his appointment in December that the 61-year-old's pay saga