FAI perform U-turn on term limits after Sport Ireland backlash

Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, governance changes must be approved by the State’s agency.

The FAI have scrapped a proposal to extend term limits for board members after Sport Ireland lodged complaints about lack of consultation. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile.

The FAI have scrapped a proposal to extend term limits for board members after Sport Ireland lodged complaints about lack of consultation.

Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, the set of conditions which the FAI must comply with to continue receiving enhanced core annual exchequer funding of €5.8m, governance changes must be approved by the State’s agency.

Football’s governing body were forced to cancel last Saturday’s scheduled emergency general meeting that sought ratification from the 137-member General Assembly to increase the terms for directors.

By extending the terms from two to three years, it would allow directors to sit around the boardroom table for 12 years. For the vice-president and president, the maximum service would be 12 years.

Once Úna May, Sport Ireland’s chief executive, denied knowledge of the upcoming constitutional changes when asked at the recent Joint Oireachtas Committee visit by the FAI, the move was shelved.

“Following discussions with Sport Ireland, the draft special resolution on constitutional amendments will not be presented and has been removed from the agenda,” the FAI informed members last week.

“In light of the limited agenda, the EGM will be rescheduled to a later date in October, likely to be held online to maximise attendance. Confirmation of the new date and time will follow shortly.”

Delegates were notified of a new date for next week, October 16, but only ratification of electoral commission members will be put to a ballot. Updates on the upcoming strategy document and national pathways plan are also included on the new agenda.

There is no motion either for members to vote on suspending Israel from Uefa competitions.

This petition, backed by 40% of GA members, was submitted last week on the back of the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory declaring the Israeli government had committed genocide in its response to the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks on the country.