Michael Collins SC will oversee the arbitration in the dispute between Shelbourne and the Eircom League board over the controversial game between Bohemians and the Tolka Park club. The process will now take place on Friday.

Collins was appointed on the recommendation of the Bar Council after Shelbourne representatives objected to the names put forward by the FAI. It was feared that the objection might cause a substantial further delay to the process but the FAI confirmed last night that the meeting will take place by the end of the week with a recommendation, it is hoped, to follow quickly afterwards.

It remains unclear, however, whether the disputed game could be refixed for early next week if that is the recommended outcome given the likelihood Derry City would mount a challenge of their own to the decision.

If it can't, the end of the campaign would have to be pushed back beyond November 17th.