IFA settle Wells case with payout

The Irish Football Association has made a substantial payout to its former chief executive Howard Wells.

An industrial tribunal examining Mr Wells's claim for unfair dismissal was to have opened in Belfast on Monday.

However, the tribunal office was told on Thursday that the case had been settled.

Mr Wells's only comment to the BBC was that he was satisfied with the outcome, while the Irish Football Association said it had no comment to make.

In October 2008, Mr Wells was sacked in controversial circumstances from his high-profile, £100,000 a year post.

His dismissal came just months after he had taken an internal grievance case against the IFA, claiming among other things that, as a Englishman, he was allegedly subjected to racial harassment.

The BBC understands the overall figure involved could run to several hundred thousand pounds, including not only Mr Wells's settlement but also legal costs - a huge dent to the IFA's finances.