The FA have moved closer to changing an age rule that would enable current chairman David Bernstein to stay on past his 70th birthday.

Bernstein turns 70 next May and, under the current rules, would be forced to release his position.

However, board members have agreed to support a move that would allow him to stay on until at least after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The proposal, which would need to be met with agreement by FA shareholders, is thought to request that a chairman can stay on beyond their 70th birthday as long as they were 69 or under when their final three-year term of office began.

Bernstein has been chairman of the FA for over a year and a half now, having succeeded Lord Triesman in January 2011.