FA TO CONTROL ENGLAND STARS’ SPONSOR DEALS

THE FA are planning to revolutionise how they deal with England players’ commercial work, which has been organised for the last decade by outside agency 1966 Entertainment. The ruling body want to work directly with England players rather than having to go through a third party for all sponsorship matters involving the squad. The current contract with 1966 is in place until after the 2018 World Cup. FA chief executive Martin Glenn (right) had a meeting with 1966 founder Terry Byrne and commercial director Tom Caplan last week to explain how they want to go forward. The thinking is that dealing directly with the players will enable the FA to build better relationships and organise personal appearances more efficiently — plus save money by cutting out the middle man. But Team England, who have a close relationship with Byrne, will have to buy into the new concept. The 1966 model began in 2006 and has worked remarkably smoothly. Before that, FA turmoil included chief executive Adam Crozier’s resignation in 2002 following huge criticism from clubs after he agreed sponsorship deals before having an agreement in place over the players’ commitments to them. There is also the charitable side of 1966’s work, with Byrne having set up the England Footballers Foundation that has raised over £4m. Byrne represents England manager Gareth Southgate through his management agency 10Ten Talent, but that relationship would not be affected by the changes.