An FAI board member has stepped down with immediate effect.
John Earley has resigned his post with immediate effect.
The Football Association of Ireland confirmed his departure from the organisation in a tweet earlier:
The FAI can confirm that John Earley has resigned with immediate effect from the Board of the Football Association of Ireland and as Chairman of the Underage Committee. The Board thanks John for his service and wishes him well with his continued involvement with the SFAI.
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) June 19, 2019
Mr Earley had also been chair of the Schoolboys Football Association of Ireland, a role he has also left.
In a statement on the SFAI website he said:
"In light of recent events, and after much discussion with my family and others, I regretfully confirm my resignation from the board of the Football Association of Ireland and as Chair of the FAI Underage Committee, with immediate effect."
He continued to add that "a combination of recent events during the ongoing governance review, and the failure to address my concerns at board level, has left me with no other option but to resign."
He wished the two governing bodies the best of luck for the future.
Controversy has circled around the FAI since it emerged a loan had been received by the organisation from ex-CEO John Delaney - which has resulted in multiple Oireachtas committee hearings involving the FAI and Sport Ireland.
Earlier this month, the interim chief of the FAI, Noel Mooney said he is "ashamed" at the corporate governance issues that Irish football fans have had to endure in the past couple of months.
There are a number of investigations being carried out into the organisation, including from the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, while State funding has been withdrawn until there is a clearer picture into the processes used at Abbotstown.
Written by Ben Finnegan.
