In a sensational move, the Mayo Football League Management Committee steps aside.

The seismic action resulted from a meeting held last night, Tuesday, in The Castlecourt Hotel Westport, chaired by Connacht FA, when it became obvious that the warring factions couldn’t be reconciled.

As reported in this week’s Mayo News, a stand-off had developed between those on the Mayo League Management Committee that were also members of the board of Mayo FC, and those that weren’t on that board.

There had been some relatively minor issues between the two parties for the past few months, but these escalated in recent days, with the League saying that Mayo FC couldn’t use Umbro Milebush stadium for its matches.

Claims and counter claims were thrown about, as is the norm in any good internal committee row. The League said that Mayo FC hadn’t paid any rent for the use of Milebush for its academy matches for the past couple of seasons and while this was true, the same League had given an initial two-year rent-free period to the new club, meaning that no rent was due.

But questions have to be asked as to how this deal could have been made, since the ground is registered to a separate company, and was not the Mayo League’s to gift.

In recent days, the League issued a proposed schedule of fees and other conditions to Mayo FC for the use of the grounds, but Mayo FC felt these were punitive and sought a reduction. The Mayo News understands that some long-standing members of the League committee, who are also members of Mayo FC, were asked to resign their positions in recent days, but they had not done so.

The problems arise from the fact that there are a few people involved in all three entities – the company that owns the ground, the League Management Committee and Mayo FC.

There are others that are part of two of these bodies. Anyone in business knows that you cannot be both landlord and tenant, nor can you rent out what isn’t, technically yours, and how this situation was allowed to develop is beyond comprehension.

But no assertion is made here, of any deliberate wrong-doing or pursuit of personal gain. This was just an administrative mess; a case study in conflict of interest, even if the interest conflicted was completely honourable and well-intentioned.

FAI has decreed a halt 

Now the FAI has called a halt to proceedings and decreed that the affairs of the Mayo League will be handled by the Connacht FA until an Extraordinary General Meeting of Mayo clubs elects a new management committee.

This outcome will have serious implications for the start of the domestic Mayo season, which was due to kick off in a couple of weeks. Other casualties seem likely to include the annual awards night due to be held on Saturday week.

Where this leaves Mayo FC is unclear, but it shouldn’t be heavily affected. The Milebush pitch is still there, as are the dressing rooms and other facilities needed, so the club should be able to proceed with its preparations for the new season even if it the rental terms are unclear.

It is probably better that the row has come now rather than in the middle of the season, and whatever the outcome, it should clear the air and all sides can make a fresh start. But surely cross-committee/board-membership must be both minimised and regularised, and operate strictly within its individual mandate.

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