The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) will meet Taoiseach Bertie Ahern for the first time in almost six months as they seek backing from the Irish Government regarding the European Commission's decision to change the players' transfer system to the detriment of all involved in the game.

Europe are planning to scrap the existing transfer system because they say it contravenes European employment laws. The changes would mean that a player could leave a club by giving one month's notice - which would all but kill the game in Ireland and elsewhere in Europe.

The FAI were advised by UEFA to lobby their Government for support to prevent the proposals from becoming law and the FAI have set up a meeting with Bertie for next Tuesday - a day before they meet their European partners in Strasbourg.

"We are aware that the Commission may be yielding to some degree but they seemed hell bent on revolutionising the game when all the football associations were addressed in Luxembourg two weeks ago," said Michael Hyland.

"So it's crucial that we inform the Irish Government of the potential damage that a completely free transfer market would cause here".

The FAI should get the backing from football fan Ahern and the meeting in turn could mend some of the bridges which have collapsed between the two parties during the last year because of Eircom Park.