FIFA and UEFA claim the FAI could be suspended as a member association if there is evidence of external interference in the association's affairs.
And were that to happen, the Republic of Ireland would be banned from playing international matches.
Specifically, the governing bodies are “seriously concerned” over Shane Ross calling for Donal Conway to withdraw his nomination for FAI President.
The Minister for Sport this week wrote to the current FAI President urging him not to put himself forward for re-election at the AGM next Saturday.
FIFA’s Secretary General Fatma Samoura and UEFA’s General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis wrote to acting FAI boss Noel Mooney today.
The joint-letter stated: “FIFA and UEFA are seriously concerned regarding the aforementioned statement from the Minister for Sport.”
Citing the FIFA rule book, the letter added: “All member associations (are obliged) to manage their affairs independently and without undue influence from any third party.
“Failure to meet these obligations may lead to sanctions as provided for in the FIFA Statutes and UEFA Statutes respectively.
“That includes a possible suspension, even if the third party influence was not the fault of the member association concerned.
“In this context, we kindly request that you communicate the foregoing to the relevant authorities and keep us closely informed on further developments.”
According to the FAI tonight, the board will discuss the letter at its EGM in Meath tomorrow.
A copy of the joint FIFA-UEFA letter was forwarded to Minister Ross.
Last October, FIFA suspended Sierra Leone from international football because of government interference in the running of its football association.
The ban - which was only lifted last month - meant Sierra Leone were disqualified from the qualifying campaign for the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt which concludes tonight.
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