Mandaric gets an apology from IFA

IFA president Jim Boyce was highly-critical of Portsmouth

Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric has received an apology from the Irish FA for the "confusion caused" by comments from its president Jim Boyce.

Boyce hit out after Mandaric targeted NI boss Sanchez as a possible candidate for the Pompey manager's job.

Boyce said Portsmouth's actions "were absolutely despicable" and likened them to "a club in the Uni-Bond League".

Mandaric demanded an apology and said the IFA has admitted that the club did nothing wrong with regard to Sanchez.

Sanchez was made the front-runner for the vacant post after the initial attempt to bring Harry Redknapp back to Fratton Park failed.

The IFA granted permission for Portsmouth to talk to Sanchez, and Boyce told BBC Sport on Thursday that no contact has been made between the two.

However, the Portsmouth chairman refuted suggestions that Sanchez's name was a cover while backstage negotiations took place to finally land Redknapp, who had walked out on Southampton last weekend.

"We have received a letter from the IFA with them saying sorry for any misunderstanding and admitting that we did nothing wrong and were not unprofessional with regard to Lawrie Sanchez," Mandaric told the Belfast Telegraph on Saturday.

"I would feel a lot more comfortable if Mr Boyce got in touch with me because I was very upset with what he said but I am not a vindictive person and in respect for Lawrie Sanchez and the IFA I want to move on and concentrate on Portsmouth."

Boyce has told BBC Sport that the matter is now "over" and that he does not wish to make any further comment.

IFA chief executive Howard Wells is also eager for an end to the dispute.

"We sent a faxed letter to Portsmouth apologising for any confusion caused," he said.

"We added that from Jim Boyce's point of view there was a misunderstanding about the chronological order of events.

"The letter also said that we at the IFA hoped the matter could be put to bed and that there would be no ill will between the parties involved."