The Minister for Sport says he is open to the idea of splitting the Football Association of Ireland.
The plan itself was devised by rank and file members of the FAI staff.
It would see the stripping down of the responsibilities of the association, so that its main focus will be on managing the international teams and elite side of the sport.
A new body would be in charge of grassroots football and developing the game at club level.
Sports Minister Shane Ross says the sport can't be allowed to suffer because of the FAI's problems:
"We can't see the FAI or the old FAI crawling ack, we've got to see something which is acceptably new, independent and a commitment to transparency"
I do want to see that those who are taking over now are not affected by the sins of the past."
Fergus O'Dowd, the chairman of the Oireachtas sport committee, is also backing the proposal to split the FAI.
He fears, otherwise, the FAI could go bust:
"Whatever works, works, but the last thing we want I think is the FAI to go into liquidation and then all their assets to be disposed of.
"Anything that can protect the assets, and protect young people most of all"
