The Football Association’s (FA) governance structure will once again be placed under the microscope when parliament debates a motion of no confidence in the governing body next week (9 February).
Damian Collins, chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, revealed that the body had been given the chance to sufficiently improve its governance structure over a six-month period, but had failed to do so.
As a consequence, the FA’s ability to reform and “fully comply with its duties” will be examined in Westminster.
Last year, sports minister Tracey Crouch said the FA would lose its £30m (US$37.5m, €34.8m) of public funding if it didn’t reform, and opened the door to the possibility of drafting legislation to force change.
“We do not believe the FA will comply voluntarily,” said Collins. “It can survive easily without the government’s contribution of money to grassroots sport, and there are powerful vested interests that refuse to accept the right of all those involved in football to play a role in the governance of the sport.
“We are therefore preparing a draft bill to bring the structure of the FA, especially its board and council, more into line with modern company practice and the government’s guidelines for sports bodies.”
The FA has been heavily criticised for the lack of diversity on its board and its FA Council, which ultimately decides on governance decisions.
Heather Rabbatts is the only member of the board who is not white and male.
