Former FA chiefs want government intervention

FIVE former Football Association chiefs have urged the Government to reform the structure of the organisation, criticising its upper ranks as being “out of balance” and filled with “elderly white men”.

The ex-bosses wrote to Damian Collins, chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, claiming that the “well-meaning individuals” are “collectively unrepresentative of English society” and “under-qualified” to deal with the FA’s role in modern football.

David Bernstein, David Davies, Greg Dyke, Alex Horne and David Triesman called for legislation to be passed, blaming the FA’s “inability to reform and modernise in a fast-changing world”.

The letter concluded: “Football is a much-loved sport enjoyed by millions, and it has genuine cultural significance in the country.

“A focused intervention can undoubtedly build on these attributes, as has been recognised in many past inquiries and reports. It would give millions of players and fans confidence they will no longer be marginal to the future of their sport.

“It may well move us to redressing the woeful lack of English players or managers and the embarrassing failures of our national team for the past 50 years.”

Responding to the letter, Collins wrote: “The select committee shares your concern that the current structure of the FA makes it impossible for it to reform itself.

“As such, there is currently no effective governing body for football in England that is capable of responding to the challenges that face the modern game.”

Collins said the committee working to prepare a draft Bill. is