Jonathan Ford’s clash with the Football Association of Wales could delay the appointment of the next Wales manager.
FAW officials had hoped to start an interview process at the start of January in their search for a successor to Chris Coleman.
But with chief executive Ford now facing a disciplinary panel over his comments regarding candidates’ nationalities, the search for a new team boss could be postponed.
Ford is facing a probe after his comment that the next Wales manager will “definitely” not be English.
Englishman Ford said last week that the FAW preferred the next Wales manager to be Welsh and “definitely not English.”
“We have always favoured Welsh people because arguably the passion is there,” Ford told BBC Radio Wales.
“Somebody said this earlier, Welsh most definitely, foreign possibly, but definitely not English.”
The FAW council met in Cardiff on Tuesday and voted for Ford’s comment to be explored further, with a three-man disciplinary commission set up.
The FAW are strong supporters of the Kick Racism Out Of Football campaign and some members of the 34-strong council feel Ford’s remark could be viewed as potential racism by outsiders.
Ford is due to head up a seven-man panel to find the next Wales manager and had said he hoped the appointment would be made before the draw for the new UEFA Nations League takes place in Switzerland on Jan. 24.
But with no date over Ford’s disciplinary commission yet scheduled by the FAW, those hopes could now be derailed.
Former Wales players Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy, John Hartson and Coleman’s former assistant Osian Roberts have all expressed interest in the job.
Tony Pulis, the former West Brom boss who was born in Newport, has also been linked with the post.
Coleman’s near six-year reign came to an end last month when he left to take over at Championship side Sunderland.
In that time Coleman guided Wales to the semifinals of Euro 2016 — their best performance at a major tournament — and into the top 10 of the FIFA World Ranking.
Wales’ last four managers have all been Welsh — Mark Hughes, John Toshack, Gary Speed and Coleman.
The last non-Welshman to manage Wales was Englishman Bobby Gould, who had an unsuccessful spell in charge between 1995 and 1999.