David Martin: Irish FA president fails to land Fifa vice-president's role
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David Martin's opponent in the Fifa vice-president's vote was English FA chairman Greg Clarke
Irish FA president David Martin has failed in his attempt to become a Fifa vice-president after losing a vote to English FA candidate Greg Clarke.
Clarke won the vote 37-18 at the Uefa Congress in Rome.
The two hopefuls were battling to take over from David Gill in the Fifa vice-president berth reserved for the four British associations.
The eight Fifa vice-presidents earn annual salaries of £190,000 during their four-year terms.
Martin was hoping to land the Fifa post after becoming Irish FA president in 2016.
In 2010, Martin was forced to step down from his then position of IFA treasurer.
The county Down man and then IFA president Raymond Kennedy both left their roles that year after then Northern Ireland Sports Minister Nelson McCausland deemed that the governing body was "not fit for purpose".
This followed an independent report into the exit of previous Irish FA chief executive Howard Wells which strongly criticised the roles of the duo in a saga which culminated in an unfair dismissal case that cost the governing body over £500,000.
Martin made three unsuccessful attempts to regain a place in the IFA hierarchy after failing independent competency tests that had been put in place for future holders of high office in the association.
However, these competency tests were removed from IFA rules at the football governing body's 2013 annual general meeting which led to Martin's election as the association's vice-president.
In 2016, Martin was elected as IFA president and his tenure has seen the governing body earn kudos for the reopening of Windsor Park, a successful staging on the Women's European Under-17 Finals in addition to submitting an all-Irish bid, along with the Football Association of Ireland, to host the 2023 European Under-21 Finals.
Martin's compatriots Harry Cavan and Jim Boyce have previously served as Fifa vice-presidents.
Former Manchester United chief executive Gill announced in October that he would be stepping down from the Fifa vice-president's position.