FA to consider independent review chairman

THE English FA’s board will today consider the appointment of an independent chairman to head the structural review ordered in the wake of the Faria Alam controversy.

The British Government have made it clear they are in favour of an outside figure being brought in to discourage any preconceptions about the ways in which the FA should be modernised.

The FA board are not obliged to follow the informal recommendation, made by Sports Minister Richard Caborn during recent meetings.

But cordial relations are always preferred between Soho Square and Whitehall, especially with the Government providing significant funding for the grassroots of the game.

The issue will be debated at today’s scheduled board meeting, with some members understood to be in favour of an independent review chairman.

There are concerns that ‘professional game’ representatives from the Premier League and Football League could use the review as an opportunity to extend their sphere of influence.