Philip Quinn joined The Football Show on Off The Ball on the current FAI situation, as a vote on the future of the organisation looms large.
The Daily Mail journalist was speaking about the fear among some members of the FAI about the dilution of power from 'football people' with more independent directors being added to the board of the association.
"We're looking at going six-six [split of directors] and those numbers are completely against other sporting organisations," says Quinn.
"That's a point that members of the board and other council members who have called this meeting tomorrow are fearful over.
"They are a little bit frightened about losing the autonomy, the right to govern the association that they are part of. That is a very cogent argument."
Quinn believes there are signs an agreement can be reached between the factions in the FAI.
"You could say 'let's give six-v-six a go and see what happens in a couple of years' time but I think there has to be wiggle room and Gary Owens the FAI CEO hinted at that.
"He threw an olive branch when he said it's easy to switch the final casting vote from the Chairman, Mr. Barrett to the President, Mr. McAneany and leave it like that and that can be done at an AGM.
"There's a new electoral reform process to decide who are fit and proper to serve on council so it's not a case of 27 or 28 guys with ten years service being culled, we don't want blood on the carpet.
"We had it in the Westbury, 24 years ago. Here we are in the Red Cow - the colour red, blood, I hope it's not a metaphor.
"I hope there's some common sense, a bit of leeway, and a bit of recognition for the volunteers who do so much to keep football on the road."
FAI unity?
Niall Quinn has been a very public figure in the entire process and Philip Quinn is sceptical of his namesake's contribution.
"Niall Quinn talks about unity, Niall has put a lot of work into this, he's been on a lot of committees. I think he's been on too many committees. He mentioned unity, 'we need unity, we need unity.'
"From what I'm hearing from the football people on the opposite side to Niall is that Niall has brought unity. He's brought unity against him and Gary Owens to a certain degree and those on the board who are not listening to the football side.
"They need to listen, I can't understand how they can't ll sit down with a pot of tea and thrash it out. This is the big challenge for Roy Barrett, chairmen bring people with them they don't push them away.
"When he goes to the Red Cow, there are people looking for him to bring them together and if he pushes them away, then they could react.
"There could be a revolt. That could be a disaster for Irish football."
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