FAI president Donal Conway confirmed he will be standing - unopposed - for re-election at the FAI AGM next Saturday after rule changes to facilitate Governance review reforms were overwhelmingly passed at the EGM in Dunboyne.
Conway, in doing so, did not heed recent calls from Minister Shane Ross to not stand for re-election.
And the applications to fill positions for the six football positions on the new FAI board can now be made up until the close of business on Wednesday.
Of the 202 available votes, 106 voted in favour, two voted against and two abstained. 82 representatives did not attend but seven apologies were received.
Asked why 82 members did not attend, Conway said: “If I look at lists of EGMs and AGMS over the years, this was significantly the best attendance in an awful long time.
“I’m absolutely delighted with the vote. It was almost a complete majority and the two people who voted against had their reasons.
“What we wanted, we got today - that FAI members resoundingly backed changes for reform.
“It was resounding and there was a real attitude for change and for reform to start and the association is very pleased with the outcome.
“Everybody, even the two members who had issues, all wanted to support reform. They believed in it and thought it was necessary.
“When the Governance Review report was launched last month, I was asked if it would get across the line and I think I said that football people would do the right thing.
“But there is still a sense that this is Stage 1 and just the first step on a much longer journey. The report will still have to be finessed as we go forward.”
The AGM goes ahead as planned in Trim next Saturday, although no FAI accounts will be presented to members.
Conway also conceded that restoration of Sport Ireland funding to the FAI was still a number of months away and pending the outcome out independent investigations into the FAI.
“I spoke to John Treacy (the Sport Ireland chief executive) after the conclusion of the EGM this evening but I didn’t go and say ‘turn on the tap now’.
“But I wanted to make him aware of the outcome and we will speak again on Monday.”
