Dundalk given more time to deal with financial issues

Dundalk have been given an additional week to meet the criteria to secure a licence to compete in the First Division next year.

The troubled Lilywhites must meet a number of conditions as part of the FAI licencing process, including resolving all football-related debt by payment or agreement with the relevant party.

They must also secure a tax clearance certificate from the Revenue Commissioners.

An FAI statement confirmed every Premier Division has been issued a licence, while nine First Division sides have also come through the administrative process.

Dundalk owner John Temple has been attempting to resolve outstanding issues at the club with unspecified debts remaining at the Oriel Park club.

He did confirm that former manager Stephen O'Donnell and two ex-players are among those owed by the club, while over €200,000 is due to the Revenue.

Transfer fees have also been left unpaid, with some clubs owed fees from deals.

An FAI statement read: "Dundalk FC are still engaged in the club licensing process. A further update will be issued next week."

If the Lilywhites do not meet the criteria before the extended deadline, they will drop out of the league for a year.

However Dundalk remain confident that will not occur.

They said: "Dundalk FC can confirm that significant progress has been made working with our partners in the FAI.

"It was always widely understood that the process this time around would be difficult. Player contracts, financials, and other legacy issues all exist from prior ownership and must be audited so that accurate compliance reporting can be delivered to the FAI.

"The FAI and the current directors of Dundalk FC are ensuring and pursuing a full rigorous application which will now take a few days to complete, resulting in licence approval."

Meanwhile Waterford FC have been successful in their application to compete in next season's Women's Premier Division.

The League of Ireland and FAI had invited the Blues to submit a licencing application last June.

The top flight currently has 11 clubs with the new Blues side set to make it a dozen in 2025.

Waterford have been operating academy sides in the national leagues in the last two years with a view to joining the senior league.

Watch Liverpool v Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday from 7.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Digital highlights of games available from Thursday morning.

Watch Wales v Republic of Ireland in the Euro 2025 play-offs on Friday from 6.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live commentary on 2fm's Game On

Click here to read article