FA is centuries out of date

2.18.51pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 16th Aug 2006

As the England football team plays it's first game under a new head coach the national game is still being hampered by its archaic structure say the Liberal Democrats. The Burns review - which called for radical changes to the Football Association - is still gathering dust after being launched on 12th August last year.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media, and Sport Secretary, Don Foster MP commented "The current set up at the FA tells us more about football in the 19th century than the 21st. It's ridiculous the FA council has representatives from Oxford and Cambridge Universities and the military, while supporters, referees and even professional players have no voice.

"But it's hardly surprising the Burns Review remains shelved when the current system to vote on these changes encourages gridlock. Lords Burns' recommendations offer a clear chance to bounce back from recent turbulent times at the FA. If the England team under McClaren and Terry is to get the support it deserves, the FA must grasp this opportunity immediately."

The Review, which must be ratified by the FA Council, is due to be debated by them in September on the direction of implementation and in October proposals will be approved (or not as the case maybe). The shareholders of the FA will then vote upon any constitutional changes.

The FA have said "We are working towards a timetable that will allow a vote on the implementation of the Burns review by the end of the year." However under the current FA Council structure there are no representatives of: Supporters; Referees; Professional players; Professional managers or even from Disability football groups.

However, there are seats for: Representatives of the army, navy and air force; Oxford University and Cambridge University. Under the current FA Board structure there are six representatives of the 'national' game, and six representatives of the 'professional' game. There are no independent non-executive directors.

Related Links:

Link to the FA website.

Link to Lord Burns report on the FA.