Bobby Jameson wants IFA president Raymond Kennedy to resign

Former Irish Premier League chairman Bobby Jameson has called on Raymond Kennedy to stand down as IFA president.

Jameson, a Portadown board member, also wants vice-president David Martin to quit over the costly sacking of IFA chief executive Howard Wells.

Kennedy says he intends staying in his post, despite the association having to pay out in the region of £400,000 after Wells sued for unfair dismissal.

Jameson said he now regretted backing Kennedy's campaign to become president.

"In any other company, those presiding over a situation like this would have to resign, or be forced to resign," Jameson told Sunday Life.

I have a lot of work still to do which will be beneficial to the association Irish FA president Raymond Kennedy

"I consider the position of the president and vice-president to be holed below the waterline and they should jump ship before football sinks with them."

Wells was sacked by Kennedy and Martin in October 2008 which led to an unfair dismissal case which was settled out of court 13 months later.

It is believed the payout to Wells, along with legal costs, came to around £400,000.

However, at the last meeting of the IFA council in December, Kennedy refused to divulge figures, citing a confidentiality clause.

But Jameson said: "There has to be accountability. That is what Raymond promised when he and David Martin approached me to oppose Jim Boyce and support Raymond's bid for presidency in 2007.

"I accepted his assurances and voted for him and have to say it is much to my regret now."

Kennedy said he was 100% committed to his role as president of the Irish Football Association.

"I have a lot of work still to do which will be beneficial to the association," he said.

"I will soon be announcing a number of lucrative friendlies which will bring a great deal of money into the association."

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