New IFA chief 'under scrutiny'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8086006.stm

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The business affairs of the new man to head the Irish Football Association are under fresh scrutiny, the BBC understands.

Patrick Nelson, 49, has admitted he did not make the IFA aware of all his dealings or company directorships.

His contract remains unsigned with him unlikely to be in post on 1 July as planned.

The organisation has been without a chief executive since it sacked Howard Wells seven months ago.

Mr Nelson, currently CEO at League Two club Macclesfield Town, was selected from five candidates interviewed for the £70,000 post, with his appointment announced by the IFA on 22 May.

But afterwards, the IFA received an anonymous tip-off that Mr Nelson had been a director of an events company, GP1 Management Limited, a venture in which he invested £40,000.

It folded with losses of £542,756 in 2007.

Errors

Mr Nelson told the BBC he had not informed the IFA of the directorship because "it was not relevant".

He added he had been a director for only 11 months and was not involved in the actual running of the business.

Official paperwork filed at Companies House contain errors.

Mr Nelson's date of birth is incorrect on two forms, one of which he admitted signing. He was unaware of the errors until informed by the BBC.

He described what is a breach of regulations as "an inadvertent mistake".

The BBC understands due diligence checks are being redoubled and the contract may be further amended to cover outside business interests.

There will be discussions at IFA HQ next week - with suggestions there may even be an emergency meeting of board members - to discuss where the revelations leave the appointment.

There are other factors which have delayed the contract being finalised.

Mr Nelson said he wanted to be in position by 1 August, saying he would be 100% committed to the IFA.