NEWS:FAI CHIEF executive John Delaney refused to be drawn on the decision to deny Limerick FC a fixture with Barcelona in Thomond Park on July 31st.

Speaking at the opening of the Aviva Stadium yesterday, Delaney was repeatedly asked to confirm if an Irish club had been refused the opportunity to play a friendly against the current European champions.

He replied: “To be honest with you, my week has been dealing with the Europa League. The Barcelona issue, ah, you know, there was a press release last night but I can’t deal with it today because there was correspondence from Limerick. I can’t comment on it.”

Delaney was asked could he not comment on legal grounds? “Yep,” he replied. The FAI are in separate talks to bring Barcelona to Dublin.

Regarding the 3,000-seating capacity at the old north terrace/Havelock square end of the Aviva Stadium, Delaney confirmed that is where the majority of away supporters will be housed for internationals.

• In a further twist to the story, Limerick FC officials were continuing to talk with Barcelona yesterday in the hope that the proposed friendly between the two clubs, tentatively scheduled for July 31st at Thomond Park, can go ahead in the event that the FAI changes its mind and agrees to sanction the game. Sources close to the club say that Limerick has been assured by Barcelona that talks with the association regarding matches in future years had only been at a very preliminary stage and that the Catalan outfit remains committed to the fixture if the FAI can be persuaded to let it go ahead.