The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross has referred an independent audit of the FAI to the Gardaí.

The audit was carried out by KOSI on behalf of Sport Ireland.

Minister Ross is unable to publish the report or make any further comment on its findings.

A brief statement from the office of Minister Ross read:

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD, has received the Final Report of the Independent Audit of the FAI, conducted by KOSI Corporation Ltd, on behalf of Sport Ireland.

The Minister said that Sport Ireland has today referred the report to An Garda Síochána.

The Minister will not be a position to publish the report or make any comment on its findings at this time.

Off the Ball has seen a letter sent from Minister Ross to Fergus O'Dowd, T.D., who is the Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Sport.

In this letter Minister Ross confirms that the Office of the Director for Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) have been notified of the developments this evening.

Ross goes on to say "I have also written to An Garda Síochana to advise them that I have been furnished with a copy of the Final Report and assuring them of the full cooperation of both myself and the officials of my Department in any investigation arising into matters laid out in the Final Report."

Minister Ross also says he has taken "legal advice" on the Final Report and that "Accordingly, I, nor Sport Ireland, propose to publish the report at this time."

Earlier today, Off the Ball revealed the FAI audit was said to be in the final stages, based off correspondence seen between Sport Ireland and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Sport.

KOSI Corporation Ltd were appointed as auditors by Sport Ireland back in May, with the Northern Irish accountancy firm also involving a forensic accountant in their probe.

That followed issues raised surrounding the financial affairs and corporate governance within the FAI, including queries over a €100,000 bridging loan sent by then FAI CEO John Delaney to the association.