TURKEYS SET TO VOTE AGAINST CHRISTMAS
The Football Association is braced for a damaging defeat over the Burns reforms tomorrow when councillors meet to vote on fundamental changes to the organisation's structure.
Despite months of lobbying a majority of councillors is set to oppose the chairman, the FA executive, the professional game and the government by rejecting proposals for an independent chairman to lead the FA board, a move that will prompt infighting and recriminations.
Despite months of lobbying a majority of councillors is set to oppose the chairman, the FA executive, the professional game and the government by rejecting proposals for an independent chairman to lead the FA board, a move that will prompt infighting and recriminations.
The chairman, Geoff Thompson, is planning a final appeal to councillors, who will meet this evening to try and agree their position, but last night there was little expectation that an independent chairman would be acceptable to the grassroots majority on the council.
“If Burns is put to the council as a single all-or-nothing package then I think they will say we're not being forced into this and vote against,” said one board member yesterday.
Lord Burns proposed an independent chairman to break the deadlock that exists on the FA board, where six members each from the amateur and professional sides cancel each other out. But councillors fear that the chairman would be swayed by the professional clubs and side with them.
The council's intransigence, and the failure of Thompson and the chief executive, Brian Barwick, to force through the measure has caused frustration and anger in the professional game and government, and the fallout will be significant.
The sports minister, Richard Caborn, has made it clear he will reconsider government funding to the FA if Burns is voted down, while the Premier and Football Leagues are likely to pursue their own interests even more jealously.