FA facing key month on controversial Wembley sale
The Football Association will today find out the strength of feeling against controversial plans to sell Wembley as board members are expected to vote on the £600million deal.
Terms of the offer from Pakistani-american billionaire Shahid Khan will be discussed by the FA’S 10-member executive before proposals are taken to the organisation’s wider council next month.
The FA’S biggest internal hurdle is said to be deepening concern from local footballing authorities on the 127-member council over investment in the grass-roots game. The board is likely to discuss those feelings today, before the council is consulted next month.
One source close to the deal told The Daily Telegraph: “Whatever happens in the board meeting, the FA has a real fight on its hands to convince its council. Several footballing authorities have already expressed serious concerns. I haven’t heard anyone say they are keen.”
The source said FA officials at a local level were concerned by the potential PR disaster of winning the grass-roots money and then finding out they are unable to build the facilities.
Plans to build 3G pitches and floodlights on council facilities could take years as they wait for planning permission.
Khan, owner of Fulham and the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL team, has been in talks to acquire the home of English football since April.
Having reportedly reached an outline deal, FA chief executive Martin Glenn and Greg Clarke, its chairman, are now seeking unanimity from the board to proceed.
The outline deal is said to include operational limitations, including that no sponsor can gain “title” rights, such as renaming the stadium or adding a corporate brand alongside that of Wembley.
If the FA board backs the deal today, it will be presented to the council, which includes representatives of footballing bodies ranging from English counties to the Premier League. The FA did not respond to request for comment.