FA reforms could mean Gill is axed
ENGLISH football’s most influential powerbroker David Gill is set to be a victim of proposed FA reforms needed to meet the Government code or risk losing £30million of public funding for the grassroots game.
FA chairman Greg Clarke has threatened to resign if his ‘substantial changes’ do not meet with Minister for Sport Tracey Crouch’s approval before her April deadline.
Clarke’s proposals — still to be ratified by the Professional Game section of the FA — include a board term limit of nine years, three women members on the 12-strong board and a more diverse representation on the FA Council where there would be a maximum 16-year membership limit, plus no more life vice-presidents appointed and a council age limit of 75.
The nine-year board term would be retrospective meaning the immediate departure of Gill as an FA vice-chairman, despite his roles at FIFA, UEFA, the Premier League and Manchester United.
The National Game members met at Wembley yesterday. They are surprisingly confident that Clarke will get his proposals ratified by the FA Council and approved by Crouch, who realises it will be impossible for the FA to become fully code compliant in just two months. THE
only England rugby betting scandal in recent times has been kit man Dave Tennison scandalously losing his job after tipping shares to the 2015 World Cup squad. Nevertheless, the RFU have sent out a warning to clubs that gambling on rugby by anyone involved in the professional game is prohibited. NEWLY-rETIrED Frank Lampard, has been in regular attendance at Chelsea’s academy over the last few weeks as he starts his coaching badges with the B licence.
Chelsea are particularly pleased to host Lampard (right) — or any other illustrious former players contemplating coaching or management — because they are so aware of the Patrick Vieira case. An Arsenal legend, Vieira’s allegiances are now fully with Manchester City after his fall-out with Arsene Wenger. Chelsea are determined their former greats will stay loyal to them.
Lampard spent a season at City, but Chelsea regard him as one of their own, along with the likes of Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech, Didier Drogba and LA Galaxy’s Ashely Cole, who has indicated he might want to become a scout when he retires from playing.
If Lampard does want to give coaching a go — like his ex-England team-mate Steven Gerrard — Chelsea would find a place for him at the club like Liverpool have done with Gerrard. COUNTY
cricket club Leicestershire have, in their wisdom, organised their AGM for a 7pm start on February 22 — seemingly in the hope of the smallest attendance possible. The date clashes with Leicester City’s momentous last-16 Champions League first leg in Seville. A cricket spokesman said the AGM had been set well in advance of the CL fixture.