SPORTS Minister Shane Ross has refused to be drawn on who’ll take over at the FAI at the end of this month.
However, he did welcome the fact that interim boss Noel Mooney “is going back to where he came from”.
Former FAI employee Mooney was appointed as interim CEO of the embattled association for a six-month stint in June.
But the move angered those close to the Football Association of Ireland due to Mooney’s links to the ousted ex-boss John Delaney.
Earlier this week, the Irish Sun revealed former Athletics Ireland chief executive John Foley is the front runner to take the reigns at the FAI later this month.
Minister Ross refused to be drawn on Foley’s potential appointment but welcomed Mooney’s return to his role at Uefa at the end of the month.
Speaking at the launch of new cycling laws in Kilmacud, Dublin, he told the Irish Sun: “I welcome the fact Noel Mooney is going to go back to where he came from and I think the process
that is going to be followed will be adequate, independent and transparent.”
Like Mooney, Foley also has historic links to ex FAI boss John Delaney who finally left the association in September following damaging revelations about its finances.
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Foley was appointed to the FAI’s National League Executive Committee in 2007 where he served alongside Delaney.
Well-placed sources previously told the Irish Sun: “The name John Foley keeps coming up for a temporary position. He’s an exceptional administrator and highly regarded within the FAI.
“He is certainly one who fits the bill and is being strongly talked about. There is some serious preparatory work to be done for the next full-time chief executive and he’s a man who could do it.”