The FAI yesterday questioned the Government's planning strategy for sport in the wake of the decision to build a national stadium at a time when the soccer body is about to build a 45,000 all-seater stadium to be known as Eircom Park at City West. Speaking from Spain, where he is on holiday, FAI chief executive Bernard O'Byrne said that some people might be tempted to question State planning in relation to sport.

"We're now about to have two new stadiums constructed and some may find that odd," he said.

"We've made it clear all along that we are committed to building a stadium of our own and nothing has changed as a result of today's announcement by the Government."

For some time now relations between the two have been deteriorating. The trend is seen to have its origins in the FAI's refusal to accede to the Government's request to abandon their project at City West and row in behind them in the national stadium project.

Last year, a carefully researched document submitted by the FAI for funding for coaching programmes was dismissed without even the courtesy of an explanation and, more recently, the FAI felt shabbily treated in the Budget.

They say that, in comparison with the GAA and IRFU, who between them are thought to have close on 150 development officers, funded by the State, to promote Gaelic games and rugby, they receive finance for only 10 people.

This led to fears that the Government was operating a hidden agenda against the association. Without addressing the issue directly, O'Byrne again hinted at this yesterday.

"There are concerns, genuine concerns, among our supporters who believe that as the largest participant sport in the country and the one with the highest international profile, we are entitled to a better deal than we're getting."

O'Byrne said there was no question of the FAI abandoning its Eircom Park project and dismissed doubts born of the delay in finalising the planning process for the construction of their stadium, first publicly announced 12 months ago.

"There have been delays, partly because of the fact that in order to get things absolutely right we didn't submit our application until October," he said. "There have been objections by some of the residents groups in the vicinity of Eircom Park, but these are minor objections."

A member of the FAI's promotional team accused the Government of issuing figures which could be construed as misleading. He said that the costs quoted were exclusive of VAT and that they didn't take account of inflation over the next five years.

Pat Quigley, the FAI president said: "There are several economic question marks surrounding the National stadium, but these questions are for the Government to answer. The FAI is entirely satisfied with its own plans and we are in consultation with South Dublin County Council to progress our application as expeditiously as possible."