FA Chair Greg Clarke "is to appear in front of MPs" amid claims a newspaper investigation exposed "continuing major failings in the current system of football governance," according to the PA. Clarke will give evidence to the culture, media and sport select committee in the wake of "a series of damaging revelations." FA Dir of Governance & Regulation Darren Bailey "will also be giving evidence." Reports in the London Telegraph resulted in Sam Allardyce leaving his job as the England manager "after undercover reporters filmed him giving advice on how to get around FA rules" on third-party ownership. The Commons select committee has now issued a "stinging statement about the lack of action" by the FA to "get a grip" on the game. The statement said, "Real reform in relation to the ownership of clubs, transfers of players, the influence of fans, the role of agents and investment in the grassroots -- amongst other issues -- has stalled" (PA, 10/4).
ROONEY WEIGHS IN: The London TELEGRAPH reported Wayne Rooney admitted it was a "shame" to see Allardyce sacked as England manager "but urged the squad to stick together after a tumultuous week." Rooney is "eager to focus on football" after a "tough couple of weeks" off the field for the national side. Rooney said, "We need to build on the three points we won in the last game [against Slovakia], and the other side of it isn't our issue, it's nothing for us to be concerned about. It's a shame, everyone could see how excited Sam was for the job and he came in and showed that enthusiasm to the players. It's a shame it's happened and I'm sure he deeply regrets it" (TELEGRAPH, 10/4).
