Decision time for FAI

The willingness of club and league representatives from all over the country to embrace change on the scale recommended by the recent Genesis report will finally be tested today in Dundalk when the organisation's officers put forward a range of proposals aimed at allowing the report's main findings to be implemented over the coming 12 months.

FAI treasurer John Delaney said yesterday he is "confident and optimistic" about the way the officers' implementation plan will be received, although it is estimated by some board members that between a quarter and a third of those present will oppose the introduction of changes that will involve most of them losing their status as directors of the association.

Under the proposals, three new committees will be established within the association. These will be made up of a mixture of board members, Irish Sports Council representatives, staff members and outside facilitators.

- The Implementation Steering Group will be given responsibility for ensuring that the most important aspects of the Genesis report are acted upon.

- The International performance Group will look after the various aspects of the report that affect the performance of the national team, as well as the involvement of the association with major international events.

- The Football Development Group will have responsibility for strategic planning of the game's future.

There is a growing acceptance that the anticipated appointment of a new chief executive will now take longer to complete than originally intended and may not happen until next autumn. The other executive posts to be created would only be filled after that.

Of most interest this afternoon, when first the board of management and then the council meet, however, will be the drive to dramatically reduce the size of the former body which, it is suggested, should shrink from more than 20 members to less than 10.

"I think that the majority of people will accept that a smaller board is desirable," said Delaney. "Precisely how many people will sit on it, or where they will be drawn from, is a matter for another day really, but if we can agree on the principle then we can sort out the detail."

It seems likely that the aim will be to bring detailed proposals on the new board to next summer's agm. There could also be a push to alter the way in which the officers are elected.

"There are a number of problems," said one club representative. "For a start there is a system by which somebody becomes vice-president for four years and then president for another four. The upshot is that when you elect the wrong person it feels like a life sentence.

"Then there is the fact that the job alternates between the senior and junior games. None of this stuff helps you get the right person - you have to design things so that you get the best people in there."

Another senior figure insists a way must be found of continuing to involve the association's voluntary sector in decision-making. "The fact is there are thousands of people out there running the game and you cannot simply say that from now on a few executives are going to make all of the decisions.

"There is a need for change, but there is a need to achieve a balance too. The danger is a lot of people whose involvement is crucial are going to end up being alienated."