Post by QPR Report on May 26, 2010 6:55:33 GMT
Telegraph/Paul Kelso
FA risks wrath of sports minister Hugh Robertson over chairman's independence
The Football Association looks increasingly set on abandoning its commitment to an independent chairman, a move that could trigger a clash with the new government.
Telegraph Sport disclosed last week that there was support from all sides of the game for abandoning independence in the wake of Lord Triesman's resignation, and that mood has hardened ahead of a board meeting on Thursday.
Reversing the Burns reforms, which require an independent chairman, will not be straightforward and would be inflammatory after new sports minister Hugh Robertson told Telegraph Sport last week that an independent chairman was non-negotiable.
Robertson's view is shared by other influential figures including Lord Mawhinney, former chairman of the Football League, former sports minister Richard Caborn, and the Football Supporters Federation, which looks to the FA to govern clubs in the long-term interests of fans rather than the short-term demands of owners.
Despite these objections the FA board will seriously consider rolling back the Burns reforms among a number of options on the table. Reversing Burns would require a change to the FA constitution, which currently debars anyone who has been associated with a club or league in the last 12 months from taking the job.
Some 75 per cent of councillors and shareholders would have to approve it at an EGM, but if they did this would clear the way for candidates such as acting co-chairman David Sheepshanks, who still has an association with Ipswich FC.
Sheepshanks may not ultimately get the job, but the board may want the flexibility to consider candidates like him. Significantly there is influential support from the professional game for such a change, as well as among the national side traditionally more suspicious of outsiders.
As well as abandoning independence altogether, there may be discussion of a compromise that would see a "football" chairman supplemented by two independent non-executive directors, one nominated by the professional game and the other by the national game.
There has also been discussion about splitting responsibilities, with a national game stalwart chairing the FA Council while a more commercial figure, possibly independent, leads the business side of the FA.
The sheer range of options being considered, and the absence of an outstanding candidate for whom the job description could be tailored, emphasises the gravity of the situation in which the FA finds itself.
It also poses a challenge to Robertson, who will have to decide whether to wade into football governance against his better judgement.
While the business of running football at the FA will continue, some argue more smoothly after Triesman's departure, the governing body still needs strong leadership and strategic direction.
As things stand, if Fabio Capello were to resign tomorrow, or more plausibly after the World Cup, who would guide the most important appointment in English football?
Just as importantly England's 2018 World Cup bid will need to demonstrate to Fifa that the FA is strong, stable and capable of hosting the tournament.
One issue that may be resolved tomorrow is the role of Alex Horne, the highly regarded acting chief executive who could be appointed full-time.
That would be a positive step to stabilise the FA, but a clear road-map to finding a new chairman would go even further.
www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/england/7765389/FA-risks-wrath-of-sports-minister-Hugh-Robertson-over-chairmans-independence.html
FA risks wrath of sports minister Hugh Robertson over chairman's independence
The Football Association looks increasingly set on abandoning its commitment to an independent chairman, a move that could trigger a clash with the new government.
Telegraph Sport disclosed last week that there was support from all sides of the game for abandoning independence in the wake of Lord Triesman's resignation, and that mood has hardened ahead of a board meeting on Thursday.
Reversing the Burns reforms, which require an independent chairman, will not be straightforward and would be inflammatory after new sports minister Hugh Robertson told Telegraph Sport last week that an independent chairman was non-negotiable.
Robertson's view is shared by other influential figures including Lord Mawhinney, former chairman of the Football League, former sports minister Richard Caborn, and the Football Supporters Federation, which looks to the FA to govern clubs in the long-term interests of fans rather than the short-term demands of owners.
Despite these objections the FA board will seriously consider rolling back the Burns reforms among a number of options on the table. Reversing Burns would require a change to the FA constitution, which currently debars anyone who has been associated with a club or league in the last 12 months from taking the job.
Some 75 per cent of councillors and shareholders would have to approve it at an EGM, but if they did this would clear the way for candidates such as acting co-chairman David Sheepshanks, who still has an association with Ipswich FC.
Sheepshanks may not ultimately get the job, but the board may want the flexibility to consider candidates like him. Significantly there is influential support from the professional game for such a change, as well as among the national side traditionally more suspicious of outsiders.
As well as abandoning independence altogether, there may be discussion of a compromise that would see a "football" chairman supplemented by two independent non-executive directors, one nominated by the professional game and the other by the national game.
There has also been discussion about splitting responsibilities, with a national game stalwart chairing the FA Council while a more commercial figure, possibly independent, leads the business side of the FA.
The sheer range of options being considered, and the absence of an outstanding candidate for whom the job description could be tailored, emphasises the gravity of the situation in which the FA finds itself.
It also poses a challenge to Robertson, who will have to decide whether to wade into football governance against his better judgement.
While the business of running football at the FA will continue, some argue more smoothly after Triesman's departure, the governing body still needs strong leadership and strategic direction.
As things stand, if Fabio Capello were to resign tomorrow, or more plausibly after the World Cup, who would guide the most important appointment in English football?
Just as importantly England's 2018 World Cup bid will need to demonstrate to Fifa that the FA is strong, stable and capable of hosting the tournament.
One issue that may be resolved tomorrow is the role of Alex Horne, the highly regarded acting chief executive who could be appointed full-time.
That would be a positive step to stabilise the FA, but a clear road-map to finding a new chairman would go even further.
www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/england/7765389/FA-risks-wrath-of-sports-minister-Hugh-Robertson-over-chairmans-independence.html