Football: Irish FA reject Dons' overtures

The Football Association of Ireland have officially rejected overtures made by the Wimbledon owner Sam Hammam who wants to relocate the Premiership club in Dublin.

Hammam requested a meeting with the FAI to discuss the move but was told by the association's chief executive Bernard O'Byrne that such a discussion would be pointless.

Ireland's league clubs have voiced strong opposition to a move to Dublin by the Dons, and the FAI have enlisted the support of Fifa and Uefa to keep out the Dons. Last night, the FAI spokesman Brendan McKenna said: "Our opposition to it is absolute and the FAI can only restate its policy which is to continue to reject any attempts by any club to relocate within FAI jurisdiction."

Wimbledon currently share Crystal Palace's ground at Selhurst Park in London. Hammam has made no secret of his intention to relocate Wimbledon after insisting that the club's local council in the London Borough of Merton had continually blocked their schemes to build a new stadium there. Hammam was not available for comment last night.