Stephen Kenny insists he has 'full support' of FAI after videogate but warns people 'behind the scenes' want to cause problems

Republic boss happy to put videogate behind him as Qatar quest looms

Pulling together: Stephen Kenny has endured a frustrating first few months in the Republic of Ireland job

�INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Pulling together: Stephen Kenny has endured a frustrating first few months in the Republic of Ireland job

Daniel McDonnell Twitter Email

December 08 2020 10:00 AM

Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has asserted he has the full support of the FAI board and his dressing-room after the "distraction" of an investigation into his preparation for last month's friendly with England.

But he admits he was surprised by an FAI statement to an English newspaper that gave the story legs, and suggested there may be people "behind the scenes or elsewhere" that want to cause problems for his team.

Kenny had to address the issue in his reflections on the 2022 World Cup draw which pitted his side in a group with Portugal, Serbia, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan, a mixed bag in terms of the options that were available.

Yet it was also his first chance to speak since reports claimed that players and staff were troubled by a motivational video before the game in Wembley.

Goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly subsequently had to angrily deny that he had leaked information, while Kenny had to speak with goalkeeper Darren Randolph who said it was untrue that he was planning to retire from international football.

Kenny said Kelly had been done a "disservice" and will be back for March, stressing his belief that no player or member of his backroom staff was involved in the story gaining traction before an FAI investigation concluded there was no issue.

"I don't think the leaks were . . . intentionally from the dressing-room. Definitely not. I think there may be people behind the scenes or elsewhere who want to cause problems for the team or don't have the best interests of the team, but certainly I have no problem with anyone in the dressing-room," said Kenny, who added he was surprised that the FAI gave a statement to the 'Daily Mail' to say they were "urgently" looking into the matter.