Bernstein calls for big change

THE FA cannot be trusted to clean up football because it is not fit for purpose itself.

That is the view of former chairman David Bernstein, who is urging complete reform of the game’s governing body.

Bernstein (below) does not believe the organisation is capable of properly investigating explosive claims of widespread corruption.

And he reckons it will go on making stupid mistakes until it is forced to make radical changes to the way it operates.

“We keep getting bad decisions on difficult issues coming out of the FA and I believe that is not a coincidence,” said Bernstein, who was in charge from 2011 until 2013.

“The FA has to modernise, it has to change its structure and get more independence and modernity into its structure.

“Sam Allardyce is a manifestation of that but there are much bigger issues in English football.

“The FA has not reformed itself sufficiently. It has been deemed by a parliamentary select committee to not be fit for purpose.”

Eight unnamed current and former Premier League managers have also been accused of taking bungs by the same newspaper investigation which cost Allardyce his job as England boss. Bernstein said: “I’ve heard all sorts of rumours over the years but nothing has ever been proven. “I think we’ll have to wait and see what comes out but it needs strong leadership. “If the FA is not sorted out, I think they’re in a difficult position. For me, it doesn’t look great at the moment.” Bernstein also slammed Allardyce, whose reign as England boss ended on Tuesday after he was filmed giving advice on how to get around FA transfer rules. During the taped conversations he criticised FA president Prince William and his brother Harry as well as mocking Roy Hodgson. Bernstein added: “I think it’s incredibly naive for Sam to get caught up in this. “We talk about respect in football constantly but this was incredibly disrespectful to the two princes and to Roy Hodgson. “Someone earning £3m a year with such a high level of responsibility needed to behave much more maturely and responsibly.”