Talks were underway at Drogheda United on Thursday to try broker a boardroom solution following a fractious 24 hours.
Joanna Byrne remains as co-chair of the club despite claiming she was asked to resign on Monday due to her calling on the FAI to boycott the Nations League games against Israel later this year.
Ms Byrne was speaking in her role as full-time serving Sinn Féin TD for Co Louth.
She was as to the fore in recommending the takeover by the club of US firm Trivela in 2023 but, now that the relationship has become fractured, the parties are left with three options.
One of them can withdraw from Drogheda United or they attempt to negotiate a settlement for continuity.
Trivela are a multi-club operation. Although their subsequent majority purchase of Danish club Silkeborg IF cost Drogs their place in last year’s Europa League, their stewardship has been generally welcomed by the League of Ireland fraternity, inside and outside the club.
They cleared legacy debts of the club, bought their home venue off the FAI and are progressing plans to construct a brand new 4,500-capacity stadium on the north side of the town.
Finances pumped into the first-team squad also enabled them to become the final club in the Premier Division to upgrade into full-time status. They won the FAI Cup in 2024, finishing fifth last season and head to local rivals Dundalk on Friday with six points from their opening two matches.
Trivela have been subjected to a backlash since news of the development arose on Wednesday. Local TD Thomas Byrne rowed in behind Ms Byrne, as did sponsors Sullivan and Lambe Park.
The company that owns the naming rights of United Park confirmed they will review their partnership with the club in light of this episode.
Furthermore, Stephen Bradley was unequivocal in his support, endorsing her right to speech and the sentiments.
“That is censorship,” said the Shamrock Rovers manager. “That is where you are going with that; dangerous stuff.
“There comes a point where some things are bigger than football. Genocide is most definitely one of them. What’s wrong is wrong and what is going on is wrong.”
After conflicting statements were released on Wednesday, there was no comment from either party on Thursday as back-channelling towards charting some level of compromise was live.
Trivela walking away would be catastrophic for the financial viability of such a solid club but they are not minded to hang around if the blowback descends into protests and friction.
