FA in turmoil over reform demands
By Charles Sale
The increasing disquiet in football about the response to Government
recommendations for root-and-branch reform came to a head at the last FA
council meeting.
There were complaints led by fans' chief Malcolm Clarke that supporters,
players, managers and referees had not been consulted in what is supposed to
be a unified reply from the game to the Select Committee findings.
Clarke claimed those four vital groups were only due to be briefed once
football's proposals for change were finalised.
And Clarke's long-winded rant was endorsed by managers' representative
Howard Wilkinson, who said his 'cosmetic' council membership was like
'pressing your nose against a window' to find out what is going on.
FA chairman David Bernstein's declaration that the Professional Game had
been kept in the loop was disputed by Stoke City owner Peter Coates.
He said none of the Premier League clubs had been involved in discussions.
Coates was countered by Manchester United's David Gill, who said a PL audit
committee with four club representatives had been in on talks.
To add to the bitter infighting, minutes from the last meeting quoted PL
chairman Sir Dave Richards saying the Government 'should not involve itself
in the running of the game', which Bernstein was recorded as calling
'antagonistic'.
Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-2089673/Charles-Sale-FA-turmoil-reform-demands.html#ixzz1kCakY0hG
_______________________________________________
Leedslist mailing list
Info and options: http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist
To unsubscribe, email [email protected]
PETE CASS (1962 - 2011) Rest In Peace Mate
