The FAI has revealed that a preferred candidate for the position of independent chairperson of the association's board has been identified.
Three other three potential independent directors to be on the new FAI board have also been identified.
All four unnamed candidates have not yet committed to the roles and are completing due diligence before doing so, following the recent revelations about the crisis-hit football body.
In a letter sent on behalf of the FAI's nominations committee to Sport Ireland and the Joint Oireachtas Committee, as seen by Mirror Sport, it was revealed that the candidate in question is "currently undertaking a thorough analysis of current issues and concerns within the FAI".
Outgoing FAI president Donal Conway said last week that it was hoped the independent chair and four independent directors will be in place by the time the association's reconvened AGM takes place on December 29.
The nominations committee selected the unnamed individual from a shortlist of potential candidates by AMROP, the external agency that was commissioned to assist with the process.
The committee has agreed to wait for the preferred candidate to complete the analysis undertaken before making a recommendation to the FAI board on the appointment of the independent chair.
As for the three potential independent directors identified, they "are being afforded the opportunity to receive a briefing on current issues and concerns" before recommendations can be made to the board.
The FAI is dealing with current liabilities worth €55m and there has been political support for a newly revealed plan from some FAI staff members to split the association in two - in a bid to separate the grassroots game from the financial mess and to receive further government funding.
The letter added: "The nominations committee is aware of the urgency attached by some stakeholders to announcing the appointments.
"However, the nominations committee’s sole purpose is to discharge its responsibility to nominate a chairperson and separately three independent directors who individually and collectively possess the blend of skills, experience and independence that is best suited to the requirements of the FAI.
"The nominations committee has requested AMROP not to inform the FAI Board or any other stakeholder of the identity of any candidate in accordance with established best practice and also the expressed wishes of the individuals identified."
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