The FA is in the process of "adding two women to its board in an attempt to stave off Government sanctions" after being branded full of "elderly white men" by five of its most senior former leaders, according to Ben Rumsby of the London TELEGRAPH. Moves were reportedly "already afoot to expand the decision-making body from 12 to 14 prior to a damning letter sent to Parliament" by the FA’s first three independent chairs and two former execs calling for MPs to outlaw its current governance structure. FA Chair Greg Clarke "hit back at his predecessors on Monday night," branding their intervention "ill-judged" and promising to succeed where they had failed by enacting "meaningful change." This was expected to include "the recruitment of two new female board members," one from the professional and one from the national game. Independent FA Dirs Roger Devlin and Heather Rabbatts are "understood to be spearheading the move" (TELEGRAPH, 12/12).
GOVERNMENT TO INTERVENE?: In London, David Conn reported U.K. Sports Minister Tracey Crouch said that the government "will consider passing a law" to force the FA to reform if it has not reorganized its council and board by April. The FA and other governing bodies have been given a deadline for compliance "with a new code of standards which require their boards to be more independent and diverse." Crouch said that she believes Clarke "is taking reform seriously and she wants to give the FA time," but conceded, "If they don't, there is always the potential for legislation in this area." Pressed "further on the possibility," Crouch said, "I certainly don’t rule it out. I think [the FA] will want to take this opportunity not to get to a point where legislation is required." Crouch, a junior minister "who like previous sports ministers has no place in the cabinet," did not give any detail about the "realistic chances of time being made for legislation, any level of government support for it or how it could happen" (GUARDIAN, 12/13).
'CHEAP SHOT': In London, Matt Slater reported Premier League Exec Chair Richard Scudamore "has hit back at criticism" from five former FA bosses saying their complaint about the league using its wealth to get its way is a "cheap shot." The attack on the "financial might" of the Premier League came in an open letter. Scudamore "completely rejected the premise of the letter." He said, "These are all people who used to work in football: we're still here doing what we do on a daily basis." When asked if "the implied criticism of the top flight's selfishness is fair," Scudamore said, "Of course it's not fair. First of all, the FA is the wealthiest football association in the world -- they do with their money what they choose to do with their money. Second, we do more than any other league in world sport, or any other business, in terms of the amount of money we give away. It's all a cheap shot, it's all really unnecessary and I hope people see it for what it is" (INDEPENDENT, 12/13).
