TAYLOR BOWS TO PRESSURE
He agrees to independent review of PFA ++ Charities Commission investigating players’ union ++ Embattled chief breaks his silence with open letter to members
GORDON TAYLOR has bowed to pressure and agreed to an independent review of the Professional Footballers’ Association — on a day the Charities Commission confirmed they are investigating the players’ union and how it funds his £2.3million salary.
Since Sportsmail revealed last week that Taylor is embroiled in a power struggle with PFA chairman Ben Purkiss, the 73-year- old chief executive has come under intense scrutiny for the way he runs the mega-rich organisation.
He has faced calls to resign from a group of more than 300 former players, who have supported Purkiss in his demand for an independent governance review. Sportsmail revealed this had been met within the PFA by a move to have Purkiss ousted as chairman on the grounds that — as a non-contract player at Walsall — he is no longer eligible.
Taylor is clearly up for a fight despite concerns that he has somehow remained in
charge for 37 years without being elected, when trade union and PFA rules demand that he should have to stand for re-election every five years.
After almost a week of silence, Taylor yesterday responded with an open letter to PFA members agreeing to a ‘full and open review’ that he says will be led by an independent QC.
Purkiss and members of the management committee are expected to demand that it is, indeed, independent. But Taylor wrote: ‘We owe it to you, our members, to hold ourselves to the highest possible standards. We believe we do. However, I am adamant that criticism must not be swept under the carpet and instead addressed head on.
‘ It is important that we are transparent, committed to constantly improving and restless in our mission to support you.
‘We will, therefore, be recommending to the PFA’s board of trustees and management committee that an independent QC conducts a full and open review into the structure and operation of the PFA.
‘I am happy to defend our record — including on issues such as mental health, diversity and player welfare — but I am the first to admit that there are always areas we can improve.
‘We will work closely with the board of trustees and management committee to finalise the review parameters and timeline.’
The pressure nevertheless continued to intensify yesterday.
A Charities Commission spokesperson confirmed that they will investigate to make sure money has been distributed in the ‘best interests of their charity and those it is set up to help’.
Earlier this week it emerged that new accounts detailed staff costs of just over £4 m for a company listed as ‘PFA Charity’, although there is no further detail regarding how that sum is broken down and elsewhere in the accounts it is stated that ‘no salaries or wages have been paid during the year’. It is also unclear if any of that money contributes to Taylor’s salary.
In a statement, the spokesperson said: ‘We are aware of concerns regarding the expenditure of the Professional Footballers’ Association Charity and we will be engaging with the trustees to establish the facts.’
The latest accounts for the PFA Charity show it spent just under £17.5m in grants this year, including a £125,000 contribution to Football’s Influence on Lifelong Health and Dementia Risk (FIELD).
Sportsmail revealed this week that the PFA’s financial arm, PFA Financial Management Ltd, had gone into liquidation £1million in the red, owing thousands to many former players. One such player told Sportsmail he had been advised by Ian Dalziel. However, according to the Financial Services Register, Dalziel was only a ‘trainee investment adviser’ when he was given responsibility for advising clients, who have since lost large portions of their savings in the investment flop. The register says he remained in that capacity throughout his time at the firm, from 2003 to 2007.
Another company linked to the PFA that went under owing millions to its creditors, Butler’s Wharf Holdings Ltd, was formerly called PFA Wealth Management Ltd and listed Taylor as a director.
In 2009 the firm went into liquidation owing nearly £2.5m to creditors.