Raymond Kennedy, president of the Irish Football Association (IFA) is to resign in September following a damning report into his leadership of the sports body.

The report relates to events in 2008, when Kennedy oversaw the sacking of former chief executive Howard Wells.

Following his sacking, Wells initiated an unfair dismissal case that ultimately cost the IFA more than £500,000 in compensation paid out to Wells.

As a result, Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) produced a report on the handling of Wells' dismissal and concluded that the IFA should improve its operations.

The IFA confirmed the resignations of both Kennedy and vice president David Martin yesterday (6 July).

IFA also acknowledged the criticism leveled at its governance with a short statement which merely said that "the Association is aware that recent events have indicated weaknesses in its structure and governance, and confirms its commitment to address these matters in the near future".

It is hoped that the departure of the pair will put to an end the internal wrangling within the IFA, which some feared could have jeopardised plans to redevelop Windsor Park, the home of Northern Irish Football.

The £30m project to upgrade Windsor Park to a 20,000-capacity stadium will require investment from the government.

The funding could have been under threat if Kennedy would have stayed on after the SNI's report, as it could have undermined the credibility of the association.

Northern Ireland's sports minister, Nelson McCausland, welcomed the resignations.

He said: "It is important that government has confidence in the IFA and these developments represent helpful evidence that our concerns regarding governance arrangements are being acknowledged.

"Deficiencies in the IFA's governance arrangements have resulted in significant payouts, which inevitably diverts resources from those who play and support football at all levels.

"I recognise the immediate steps that have been taken by the IFA to reassure all those with an interest in local football that the first step to progress is being made to address issues within the structure of the association."