‘If he’d said “I messed up” it would’ve been a yellow card’: How Jonathan Hill’s FAI reign came tumbling down

Hidden payments as association struggled with financial woes ended chief executive’s tenure

Jonathan Hill left the FAI following disquiet over his remuneration. Photo: Sportsfile

Mark Tighe

In August 2021, Jonathan Hill, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) chief executive, made a visit to Bushy Park in Dublin to see Terenure Rangers teams in training. That happens to be the club where I do a bit of (assistant) coaching.

Unlike with John Delaney, the FAI’s previous CEO, there was no large novelty cheque to be presented. The club appreciated Hill’s visit and the chance to tell him of plans to develop better facilities.