FAI chief executive John Delaney refused to be drawn on the controversial state of the domestic league today, opting instead to keep his council until after tomorrow's eircomLeague Board of Control meeting.
Whether or not Delaney will elaborate following that meeting remains to be seen but he has promised a "speedier process" to deal with registration and suspension issues once the FAI takes control of the league later this year.
"It's important to learn from the past but certainly not live in it," he said when questioned on the litany of disputes that have dogged the domestic league in recent seasons.
"We're working on putting different processes in place to learn from all the mistakes of the past, in all areas.
"Going forward there will be speedier processes to deal with something, for example, which occurred in the middle of August and is only now being dealt with. . . that I believe will help in terms of process."
Delaney is, of course, referring to the FAI appeal board's controversial decision this week to order a replay of a Bohemians-Shelbourne league match.
Shelbourne had sought the three points Bohemians were deducted after the Phibsboro club fielded a suspended player during a league match between the sides in August.
Bohemians won that game 2-1 but were subsequently docked three points for fielding defender Jason McGuinness, who was suspended.
The FAI's three-man appeal board committee on Wednesday ordered the match to be replayed at Dalymount Park "as a matter or urgency" and "in the interests of fair play".
The decision has infuriated Derry City - Shelbourne's closest rivals in the title race - who are "dismayed" with the ruling and are now consulting their legal advisors.
"The league are meeting tomorrow to see if they'll take the matter to arbitration , which they have the right to do so," Delaney said.
"We'll await to see what comes out of that meeting before we see what the next stage in the developments are. I won't comment on any individual aspect of any individual case because I cant, we'll just see what happens tomorrow.
"But it proves to me that the merger of the league is the right thing to do. It means the clubs can go about running their own affairs and the FAI will run the eircomLeague going forward."
Clubs must, according to Delaney, address their own internal processing procedures to ensure they "market and drive the league forward in the manner we all want".
• Bobby Robson will travel to Dublin for the European qualifier against San Marino at Lansdowne Road in just under a fortnight, the FAI has confirmed. Steve Staunton's football consultant has missed the last five internationals because of poor health.
• John Delaney refused to speculate on a report this morning suggesting the Republic of Ireland will take one training session at Croke Park ahead of the San Marino game.
"Obviously we are in discussions with the GAA, regarding all aspects of Croke Park," he said. "So when we have something to say over any aspect of that we'll say it."
