Jonathan Hill to depart as CEO of the Football Association of Ireland

The Board of the Football Association of Ireland has announced the departure of Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Hill.

The executive, who has been in charge of the football body since November 2020, was heavily criticised by members of the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee earlier this year over revelations that he received payment in lieu of holiday leave.

Commenting on his departure, on April 30, Tony Keohane, independent Chair of the Board of the FAI said: "Jonathan joined the Association during a difficult time in the heart of the Covid-19 pandemic and helped the Association navigate an extremely challenging period. On behalf of the Board of the FAI, I want to thank Jonathan for his hard work and dedication over the past number of years and wish him well for the future".

He noted that Mr Hill "guided the Association and the game through an incredibly difficult pandemic period" and that he led the transformation in the Association during his time as CEO.

"He leaves us with a robust organisational structure, a vastly improved financial position and a blueprint for the future success of football in Ireland. We are grateful to have benefited from Jonathan's experience, leadership, hard work and commitment and we wish him well in his future ventures," said Mr Keohane.

In a statement, issued by the FAI, Jonathan Hill commented: "Since 2020, the FAI team and the wider football community have embraced what has been a radical transformation process for the Association and I'm proud of what has been achieved. We have developed a new, dynamic senior leadership team, a clear strategic vision, a bold plan to address football's wider infrastructure needs and a stable and growing financial platform for further and sustainable growth.

"A notable step forward was the 2021 Equal Pay agreement which has been a vital catalyst for the rapid rise of the Women's senior national team over this period, culminating in a historic first World Cup appearance in Australia in 2023: Our successful bids to host EURO 2028 and the UEFA Europa League Final next month are testament to the progress delivered by the FAI staff and their incredible commitment and hard work. I firmly believe that the future is bright for Irish football."

Paul Cooke, president of the FAI, said: "Jonathan has worked incredibly hard in creating the solid foundations for growth and I am sure the Board, executive and staff can now build on those foundations to create real change for the largest participation sport in the country. I wish Jonathan every success in the future."

The FAI says an interim CEO will be announced in due course, followed by a structured search for a full-time successor.