The Israel games, inheriting debt, season ticket sales | FAI CEO David Courell in studio

Joe is joined in studio by FAI CEO David Courell to discuss the upcoming games against Israel and how the association arrived at the decision to fulfil the fixtures. Reducing the FAI's debt, the strategy around players born in Northern Ireland and dealing with the fallout of the John Delaney era is all on the menu. Football on the Indo Sport podcast is sponsored by Sky Sports. 0:00 - Introduction 0:24 - Having worked for the English FA, what brought you home? 1:56 - Most difficult part of the job so far, and a thing you’ve been pleasantly surprised by? 2:41 - Are you keen to normalise relationships with the media? What’s the current perception of the FAI? 5:05 - Inheriting debt from predecessors, should there be more transparency 13:42 - Record numbers of season ticket sales 16:00 - Did you consider boycotting the Israel games? Separating personal views from the role 20:28 - What actually are the potential ramifications / consequences of doing that? 27:54 - The communication with UEFA and the other organisations 32:06 - Genocide & the humanity aspect, the power of boycotts v unilateral/collective boycotts 39:10 - The games from an administration / logistics point of view 42:20 - The pressure on those involved and how they navigate that 45:32 - Northern Ireland players 51:24 - Player development 57:37 - The explosion of the women’s game Read and watch more of the Indo Sport: https://www.independent.ie/sport