The FAI has hit back at criticism over their decision to sell the exclusive rights for Republic of Ireland internationals to Sky Television.

Fans and public figures have widely condemned the deal, worth 7.5 million euros, since it was agreed last Friday (5 July).

Minister for Sport, John O'Donoghue, became the latest to express his displeasure with the FAI on Tuesday.

The contract means Irish football fans will now have to pay to watch the games live, rather than watching them on the national station RTE.

They are claiming their interests have been sacrificed by the FAI for financial gain.

But the football governing body have refuted these allegations and instead shifted the blame on RTE.

Regular meetings

"The fault is with RTE," said the FAI's honorary treasurer John Delaney after a meeting with Mr O'Donoghue on Tuesday.

"Their offer was 30-40 per cent lower than what their last deal was worth.

"Sky, the FAI and the fans are in partnerships of varying degrees and we will be looking at different schemes where as many people as possible can watch the matches.

Delaney stressed the Association "has time on its hands - our next home game is not until October and following that, we have until June."

Mr O'Donoghue said the meeting, also attended by FAI general secretary Brendan Menton and development executive John Byrne, was "very full and frank".

He hoped it would be the start of regular meetings with the Association.