The FAI, convinced that they would not receive fair play from UEFA, have decided not to appeal against sanctions relating to the European Championship play-off games against Turkey.
Tony Cascarino, who was given a four-match international ban after the second leg of the play-off in Bursa, was thus faced with the prospect of having to fund any appeal from his own resources.
The chief executive of the FAI, Bernard O'Byrne, in a remarkably frank indictment of UEFA and its workings, condemned the fines imposed by the European body.
Stating that the substantial expenses involved in the appeals procedure would merely add to the deficit already incurred, he said: "We would appeal if we thought there was a reasonable chance of having the findings changed. UEFA have been unreasonable and unfair to the FAI throughout the entire Group Eight qualifying series. Therefore we have basically decided to cut our losses.
"Taking into account the 50,000 Swiss francs fine imposed for the postponement of the game against Yugoslavia in Dublin in June and the Yugoslavs' subsequent claim of 100,000 Swiss Francs to cover their expenses, the association has been hit by fines totalling 173,000 Swiss francs, approximately £85,000, over the entire series.
"The FAI also incurred irrecoverable expenses of £187,000 due to the cancellation of six games, three senior and three under-21, during the group series. "The feeling is that we now draw a line under our experiences in Group Eight and look forward, instead of backwards."
Apart from the £500 deposit which must be lodged with all applications, appellants are responsible for all the costs involved in the appeals procedure, including the expense of bringing members of the relevant committee from various parts of Europe and providing them with accommodation in Switzerland.
These, and other hidden costs, make it an expensive process and while the FAI believes that the ban on Cascarino and the £5,000 fine imposed for the post-match melee after the Irish player had been struck in the face is wholly unjustified, they are not prepared to pursue the matter.
This leaves Cascarino with the option of going it alone, but given the fact that he is due to share a testimonial game with Steve Staunton at Lansdowne Road in May, he is unlikely to be over-critical of the association's apparent volte-face.
The FAI is also not picking up the £1,500 tab for Staunton's indiscretion in remonstrating with the Swedish referee, Andres Frist after the first play-off game in Dublin. Ironically, Staunton didn't play in the game because of an injury but travelled to Lansdowne Road to watch it.
Commenting on that incident, O'Byrne said: "Stephen's actions were ill-judged - he knows better than to approach the referee's room after a match. He has offered to pay this fine himself."
On the £5,000 fine imposed for a bottle being thrown on to the pitch during the game at Lansdowne road, O'Byrne said: "I hope the person who threw the bottle is pleased with his handiwork.
"In real terms, some schoolboy or amateur club around the country will not receive a grant because we have to pay this fine."
