Jonathan Hill's fractious reign ends with a whimper as FAI confirm departure

Jonathan Hill’s tumultuous three-and-a-half-year tenure as chief executive of the FAI is over.

The FAI board this morning confirmed his departure, flagged for April 30, but it’s understood holidays and notice may consume his final fortnight in office.

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

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 handbook.

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, departing 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 appeared 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 ratification in December that the 61-year-old's pay saga wouldn’t happen under his watch, agreed with Dillon’s