FAI Council members have been urged to call an emergency meeting to debate ‘very serious issues that threaten the existence of the Association as a sovereign body’.
James Kelly, the Leinster FA’s National Council representative, wrote to his 78-fellow members today outlining his concerns.
He asked colleagues to reply to him by email, stating whether they are in favour of an emergency summit.
In the letter, seen by Mirror Sport, Kelly wrote: “Irrespective of what your personal views are, I feel it is incumbent on Senior Council members to have a full Council meeting at which everyone can freely express their views in a constructive manner in a properly convened meeting.”
Kelly said he was “dismayed” by the “snail-like progress in the recruitment and appointment of a new CEO.”
He also cited frustration with how slowly some of the new FAI committees have been formed in the wake of the Governance Review Report.
Kelly continued: “It cannot be overemphasised how significant is the threat posed by the ticking time bomb contained in the Memorandum Of Understanding signed by Shane Ross and Roy Barrett.”
He said Irish football “would be exposed….to the real danger of excessive control by outside interests” if the FAI board is made up of six independent directors - rather than four - and six elected from within the game.
That is what the last government demanded in January when it bailed out the FAI to the tune of €19 million.
And the new government has already insisted it won’t be changing those terms.
It is reported that key figures on the interim board want to meet the new Sports ministers for talks, and more fireworks are expected at a board meeting tomorrow.
