Glenn’s cutbacks rock rule-makers
THE FA have upset the other home nations by cutting out the usual largesse surrounding the annual rules-making summit as England take their turn to organise it this year.
The International Football Association Board have met in venue rotation for the last three editions at the best hotels in Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff with the FIFA delegation, who make up the rest of the committee, entertained in the grand style to which they’ve grown accustomed over three days. The FA have previously put up the IFAB delegates and their partners in fivestar luxury accommodation at London’s Claridges, The Lowry in Manchester and Pennyhill Park in Surrey.
But in March the IFAB party will be staying at the functional fourstar Wembley Hilton with the meetings staged at the National Stadium — and one of the official dinners has been cancelled.
The austerity IFAB is the idea of FA chief executive Martin Glenn (right). Glenn wanted to concentrate on the football and believes it far more appropriate to meet at Wembley rather than the England rugby headquarters of Pennyhill Park.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland chiefs, who see IFAB as their main opportunity to socialise with FIFA’s high command, have made their displeasure known at the cost- cutting, with the Scottish FA writing an official letter of complaint to FA chairman Greg Clarke.
FA of Wales president Dai Griffiths said: ‘The tradition of IFAB should have been respected.’ RICHARD
TUR, who represents Oxford University on the FA Council, is understood to be very supportive of back-to-back men’s and women’s Varsity football matches. Ironically, the same blazer was accused of sexist behaviour in opposing FA board member Heather Rabbatts for breaking ranks to voice her support for sacked Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro. Tur declined to comment yesterday. ROGER DRAPER had a difficult time as chief executive of the Lawn Tennis Association. But it shouldn’t escape notice at Roehampton that while his hapless successor Michael Downey has achieved next to nothing for tennis before going back to Canada at the first opportunity, Draper has made a success of his new life in Rugby League, for whom he is now chief commercial officer and Super League executive director.
Downey’s exit could further prolong the LTA’s search for a marketing and communications director. It has already taken almost a year. THE
FA are running out of time to agree governance reforms with their contrary councillors before the April deadline to at least show Sport England they are moving in the right direction — or risk losing £30m of grassroots funding. Today’s FA Council meeting is likely to see the blazers refusing to be railroaded into reforms, although it wouldn’t need their backing to bring in two extra women board members from the national and professional games. Potential choices could be Dorset FA leader Sue Hough and Charlton chief executive Katrien Meire.
Wembley axe music man
WEMBLEY are losing their music man Jim Frayling, who is mainly responsible for the hugely successful concert programme over the last decade. His exit at the end of the month is part of the wholesale management restructuring by chief executive Martin Glenn.
Frayling’s expertise in signing up top acts will be especially missed considering the increased competition from Twickenham, London Stadium and Emirates Stadium. Having Spurs as tenants next season would mean fewer music dates, though Tottenham have postponed putting their signature on a definitive rental agreement for 2017-18. The decision has been put back from December to March, with Spurs saying they are still working through details. UEFA’S
Champions League tender for the next three-year rights contract from 2018-19 will arrive at TV networks today. It is expected the packages will include a single first pick on Tuesday or Wednesday together with another two packages for the rest of the fixtures on either night. And if the CL is to retain its lustre in the UK then it is imperative that a terrestrial channel find the money to show one top game per week live.