Carla Ward frustrated with the outside noise associated with the FAI

Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward says “outside noise” around the FAI has been a major frustration since taking charge earlier this year.

Ward says off-field issues have dominated her time in the role, admitting that “80 percent hasn’t been football” since she took over in January.

She was speaking ahead of Ireland’s Nations League play-off against Belgium on Friday at the Aviva, urging that the focus now needs to return to football.