FA saga is a farce - fans chief

The chairman of the Football Supporters’ Federation has called for a total change in the structure of the Football Association following this week’s scandal at Soho Square.

Malcolm Clarke believes yesterday’s resignation of Mark Palios should signal changes in how football is organised so fans can focus on matters on the pitch again.

Palios resigned in the aftermath of his and England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson’s relationship with the same FA secretary, Faria Alam.

“I think they are an antiquated organisation and need a major overhaul in structure,” Clarke said.

“The situation really belongs in the theatre as a farce and fans will be appalled by the whole episode.

“Their (the FA’s) priority is on the field but it’s the off-field situation which is very regrettable.”

The FSF campaigns for fans on all football matters and believe the FA should now involve the people who participate in the game.

“What you haven’t got is the balance of players and other major parts of the game involved at the FA,” he added.

“What we want to see is a proper regulation of the game. The FA have an opportunity to participate with fans and players, without whom they do not have a game.”

FA director of communications Colin Gibson also offered his resignation yesterday following allegations he tried to negotiate a deal with the News of the World to leave Palios out of the limelight. Clarke reckons that it leaves manager Sven-Goran Eriksson in a strong position to keep his job.

“If it was found out that he was trying to stitch up the manager then that is deplorable,” he added.

“I would have thought Eriksson is in a stronger position than 24 hours ago, especially with his contract and the costs to sack him.

“I think most fans think this isn’t the time to change the manager. The FA gave him a new contract and it would be absurd to sack him before the World Cup qualifying campaign.”

Clarke believes fans look at results rather than private lives when supporting the national team.

“I don’t think fans have any interest whatsoever in terms of people’s private lives and it is certainly not an interest of the FSF,” he added.

“Fans are more interested in getting qualified for the next World Cup and you’ve only got to look at the manager’s track record which is pretty good.

“Obviously we didn’t get as far as we’d have liked in Portugal but if referees decisions went our way, who knows where we would’ve ended up.