It says the decision was made to facilitate the signing-off of the accounts and to ensure that the entire board can be present.

Paul Cooke, newly installed as Executive Lead – effectively now the Association’s acting CEO – gave ample warning at October’s AGM that the figures “won’t be pretty and will shock people”.

Sport Ireland have approved payment of 2019 grant funding worth €195,000 to the Women’s National Football Team, with the disbursement of the money to be overseen, not by the FAI, but the accountancy and business advisory firm BDO.

Siptu has warned that the Iarnród Éireann pay dispute is the “new frontline” in the battle to ensure adequate funding for public transport.