FIFA and UEFA are to provide "huge backing" to the crisis-hit FAI, the association’s council members were told today.
But the association says it is "shocked and disappointed" at SIPTU claims that the FAI could "become insolvent in only a matter of weeks".
FAI President Donal Conway said this afternoon: “As I outlined to our Council meeting today, we recently met with UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and Director of National Associations Zoran Lakovic.
“At that meeting in Nyon, they assured us of the full support of UEFA for the FAI as we go through our current processes.
“UEFA’s support will ensure the continued viability of the Football Association of Ireland and there is no threat to FAI Operations or to FAI staff."
SIPTU Sport Sector Organiser, Denis Hynes, said earlier today: “We have received information that the FAI is in an extremely precarious financial situation with a threat of the organisation becoming insolvent in only a matter of weeks.
“This has caused great concern to our members who are employed by the FAI.
“While we fully understand that under FIFA rules the government does not have a role in the running of the organisation we believe that with up to 200 jobs at risk the situation is one that requires the direct attention of the Minister Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross.”
Paul Cooke appointed to FAI sub-committee to oversee ongoing investigations
Hynes added: “We are seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister to directly inform him of our concerns and discuss any possible intervention that can be made to alleviate this critical situation.”
FAI council delegates met at FAI headquarters this afternoon to discuss the rapidly unfolding developments rocking Irish football.
Paul Cooke - set to be ratified as the FAI’s Honorary Treasurer at the AGM in July - has been appointed to the sub-committee overseeing investigations at the association.
Cooke said: “I thought the council meeting went quite well. There was a constructive atmosphere, people participated in it, asked questions and got answers.”
He added: “Change has to be brought about in the right manner. It’s not right to say a timeframe.”
Council member Dave Moran of the Leinster Senior League said: “I have to say it was a very positive meeting, I’m very happy.
“They are going to get huge backing from FIFA and UEFA. It was a very positive and open meeting with a lot of questions. You saw how long it was.
“A lot of questions were about what's gone on. We had the lads in from the Governance Review Group.
“He said that everything going forward will be more up front and more transparent. The governance will be much better.”
FIFA officials were also due in Dublin this afternoon to meet with both the FAI and Sport Ireland.
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