Limerick FC have revealed that their proposed friendly with Barcelona in Thomond Park will not go ahead. Limerick have feel let down by both League Directors and the FAI and issued a statement with sadness and anger.
It is thought that Barcelona spoke to the FAI and asked for the match to be played. When that request was refused Barcelona had to drop out of the match and look elsewhere.
In a statement taken from http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/3502/
"The only reason that this match is not going ahead is the decision of the Airtricity League Director (Fran Gavin) and the FAI not to sanction the proposed match."
“The initial decision of Airtricity League Director and the FAI was not changed despite an email request by FC Barcelona to FAI officials on the night of Monday 17th May that confirmed their desire to go ahead with the match with Limerick FC and stated their disagreement with the decision not to sanction the game.
“Limerick FC would also like to thank FC Barcelona for the professional nature in which all negotiations were carried out and their support for Limerick FC's attempts to get the necessary sanction from the FAI. Limerick FC would also like to thank its fans, its fellow Airtricity League Clubs and all the public who supported its call for sanctioning of the game.”
“It is extremely disappointing that Limerick FC and FC Barcelona will now not meet in Thomond Park as a result of the decision by the Airtricity League Director and the FAI not to sanction the game. The loss to the region, both economically and in terms of improving the profile of soccer in the region, is enormous.
“Limerick will continue to appeal the decision of the Airtricity League Director as a matter of principle as there is a need to fully clarify the position all Airtricity League Clubs now find themselves in with regard to the sanctioning of friendly games of this nature.”