Palios resigns from FA post

Mark Palios tonight resigned as chief executive of the UK Football Association.

Palios informed FA chairman Geoff Thompson of his decision at 6pm, and it was accepted with immediate effect.

While Palios insists he has done nothing wrong, his position had come under increasing pressure after this morning’s News of the World claimed that director of communications Colin Gibson had offered a full and extensive account of England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson’s relationship with FA secretary Faria Alam in exchange for keeping Palios – with whom Alam also had a relationship – out of the story.

Mr Gibson appeared to confirm his conversations with the newspaper with a statement he issued this morning.

He said: “Last week I complied with the FA enquiry, gave them complete details of the events of July 24, including transcripts of telephone calls, my minute-to-minute movements and supplied them with a complete list of all my telephone calls.

“The FA knew about the details last week and the story about brokering a deal.”

Palios said tonight: “I am very sad that I feel this is necessary.

“It has been a privilege to be chief executive of the Football Association but with privilege comes the burden of responsibility.”