The Football Association of Ireland will today vote on 78 reforms recommended by a major review of its governance structures.

A two-thirds majority will be required to implement the reforms on today’s Extraordinary General Meeting in County Meath.

The final report from the FAI Governance Review Group found "significant shortcomings in the functioning" of the football association's current board.

The report was ordered amid concerns over the sporting body’s finances and organisation.

FAI Governance Review

Sport Ireland has warned that the association must implement its recommendations before it considers restoring the State funding it withdrew in April.

The report found that the new board should have 12 members and six directors - and said this "interim" board should remain in place until July 2020.

It recommended that at least one third of the board members should be female.

It also called for "at least one" and a possible maximum of two members of the current board to remain in place to ensure continuity.

The entire board had previously indicated its intention to step down.

FIFA warning

The meeting comes amid controversy over the Sports Minister’s decision to write to FAI President Donal Conway asking him to withdraw his nomination for re-election – a call that was backed by Sport Ireland at the Oireachtas Sports Committee this week.

Yesterday both FIFA and UEFA wrote to the FAI to voice their concern over the move.

In the letters, the European and world football governing bodies warned that it is strictly forbidden to allow third parties to interfere with national associations.

They warn that the action could see Ireland suspended from competition, “even if the third party influence was not the fault of the member association concerned.”

The letter will be discussed at this afternoon’s meeting.