The FAI are at risk of losing millions in Government funding after an attempt on Thursday night to allow two additional female candidates to join the board was voted down at an Emergency General Meeting.
The motion required a 75 percent majority to pass, but it fell short by almost 10 percent. Of the 114 votes, 76 were in favour and 38 were against. This could put the association - and clubs applying for capital grants - in a perilous financial situation, with a 50 percent cut in funding now looming.
The Government has set a deadline of December for the establishment of 40 percent female representation. Last night’s vote, which would have seen the board increase to 14 members has once again opened the divide within Irish football. The proposal would have seen the board split evenly between seven members elected through football and seven independent members.
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The FAI released a statement shortly after the EGM where they stressed it was still their intention to be compliant with the Government target. It read: “The FAI confirms that at tonight’s EGM, the General Assembly voted against the proposed constitutional change to allow two additional female candidates to join the FAI Board.
“The required 75 percent majority to pass the proposal was not reached. The proposed change was put forward to address the current gender balance gap on the Board and the FAI’s intention to be compliant with the Government’s directive to have 40 percent gender representation on its Board by the end of the year.
“The FAI Board will now reflect on the decision, work through the next steps, and have a revised position for the General Assembly to review at the December 9th AGM. It remains the FAI’s firm position to achieve the required 40 percent female representation on the Board.”
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