The board of the FAI say they will support the executive in their endeavours to find a resolution to get the League of Ireland season back on track.

The Association issued a statement after St Patrick's Athletic owner Garrett Kelleher wrote to 3 board members, Paul Cooke, Dick Shakespeare and Martin Heraghty to criticise the leadership of interim FAI CEO Gary Owens and interim deputy CEO Niall Quinn.

Owens and Quinn were appointed to their respective roles at the end of January, and have been working on securing funding so that the League of Ireland can return following its postponement during the coronavirus pandemic.

In correspondence, Kelleher said the executives had 'failed and failed badly' and that they had lost the confidence of St Patrick's Athletic.

“I am of the firm view that, albeit their intentions may be well meaning and they may have spent a considerable amount of time and effort over the last six months, Gary and Niall have failed and failed badly," he wrote.

“Football is too important, and the domestic game is at a critical juncture where any more wrong or naive moves made by the executives could do even longer lasting damage. They have lost the confidence of St Patrick’s Athletic, I can’t speak for anyone else.

“I would like the three of you to consider, with your collective League of Ireland experience, stepping in to the breach now and working with the 10 or 19 clubs to figure out a way to try and get football up and recommenced.”

First Division clubs have said that they are 'increasingly positive' about a return to play in August following a meeting they held with Owens and Quinn.