FA vote for reform

The Football Association have voted to accept the biggest reform of the governing body in their 144-year history.

From next year, the FA will have an independent chairman and a semi-independent disciplinary body.

Changes to the board should also mean an end to the deadlock between representatives from the professional and amateur games.

The vote at today’s AGM at Wembley Stadium saw 78.5% of the 915 votes cast in favour of the structural review recommended by Lord Burns – just over the 75% figure needed.

It represents a significant victory for FA chief executive Brian Barwick and chairman Geoff Thompson who have been campaigning for months to persuade county FAs to support the changes.

Barwick said: “Today’s decision marks the start of an exciting new era for the Football Association and the end of a very complex process.”

Thompson, who will be succeeded by the independent chairman when he steps down next year, added: “This is one of the most important days in the FA’s 144-year existence.”

The major changes to the FA’s structure will see:

:: two independent members of the FA Board (the chief executive and the independent chairman) with voting rights alongside five representatives from the professional game and five from the national game (down from six each).

:: a semi-autonomous Football Regulatory Authority to govern the game, reporting to its own board, and taking decisions on disciplinary matters.

:: an expanded FA Council with added representation for players, managers, referees, women’s football, ethnic minorities and disability football, as well as supporters.

:: a re-organisation of the FA’s committee structure to streamline decision making and better define areas of authority.

:: a new funding formula dividing the FA’s profits 50/50 between the professional and national games.

At today’s meeting, the shareholders – comprising the FA Council, Full Members Clubs, County FAs and other stakeholders in the game – voted by 718 votes in favour to 197 against to implement the changes.

The process for selecting candidates to be the first independent chairman has yet to be finalised, but they will be elected by the FA Council.

The result of the vote was welcomed by sports minister Richard Caborn, as well as the Premier League and the Football League.

Caborn said: “From Sunday League to Premier League, this is an important day for football in England.

“In particular, introducing an independent chair and breaking the decision-making deadlock at board level, will at last give English football a governing body capable of making decisions for the good of the game as a whole.

“Geoff Thompson, Brian Barwick and all those who have worked towards this deserve credit for that.”

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore added: “The Premier League has always been very supportive of the Burns’ reforms. We are extremely pleased they have been adopted and look forward to working with the FA under the new structures.”

Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney also welcomed the announcements.

He said: “This is an important development in the history of the Football Association. It shows that the FA is capable of changing to meet new needs.

“Now a lot of work needs to be undertaken to give effect to today’s decision.”