The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross has called on Donal Conway to withdraw his nomination to be re-elected as FAI President.
Last month he said he wanted to remain on in the role as part of an interim solution recommended by the Governance Review Group report into the FAI's structures.
Mr Conway is in line to be returned unopposed at this weekend's AGM but in a letter Minister Ross has asked the current president to step away 'in the best interests of football'.
Minister Ross claims an unopposed re-election would fall short of the 'transparency and democracy' expectations of the Assocation, who are currently seeking to implement good governance practices.
"I know you have shown personal commitment these past weeks at the road shows seeking to secure the support of the FAI members for the Governance Reform recommendations and I appreciate the recent work you have done.
"However, I must ask you to withdraw your nomination for re-election at the upcoming AGM to allow for new leadership with credible reform credentials, in the best interests of football."
He also says the appointment of Noel Mooney as general manager would mean the new regime at Irish football's governing body would have 'a very old look about it'.
"In your letter of 16 April you stated explicitly that at the AGM in July, the Board of the FAI would step down to allow for a new Board to be constituted in the best interests of football. At a subsequent meeting with Minister of State Griffin and me in Leinster House on 22 May, you reiterated the Board's commitment to stand down at the AGM," he writes.
"That was the only prudent course of action in the circumstances. Contrary to this commitment, you have now been effectively re-elected as President of the FAI - you have been, somewhat unexpectedly, unopposed for this position. This was a reversal of your promise to bring reform to the FAI under a new leadership.
"Together with your decision to appoint former FAI employee and loyalist, Noel Mooney to the post of General Manager, this development means that the new regime has a very old look about it."
