The "controversial campaign" to sell Wembley Stadium "split English football," according to Martyn Ziegler of the LONDON TIMES. The "hard sell" by FA execs who wanted Wembley to be bought by Shahid Khan "was described as a debacle" by one FA councilor. Others said privately that it "put a question mark over the futures" of CEO Martin Glenn and Chair Greg Clarke. FA sources insisted there is "no suggestion that either Glenn or Clarke are considering their positions" but Khan’s decision to pull out "does mean that they will not have to deal with the fallout that would have followed an almost-certain defeat" in a vote. Senior FA figures said that there was "deep frustration" and "bewilderment" that Khan withdrew. The FA "had argued that the money would be used to improve grassroots facilities but encountered strong opposition" from the 127-member FA council. One FA councilor said, "This was a debacle from beginning to end. The whole process was deeply flawed." U.K. Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee Chair Damian Collins said, "It felt like everyone was being bounced into it" (LONDON TIMES, 10/18).
'HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT': In London, Matt Slater reported Khan's decision to withdraw his offer was described as a "huge disappointment" and a "missed opportunity" by two of the biggest sponsors of grassroots facilities. The U.K.'s largest sports charity, the Football Foundation, "would have been the vehicle the FA used to pick, manage and fund the projects," as it currently does with the funding it receives from the FA, Premier League and U.K. government. The Football Foundation said in a statement, "News that Mr Khan has decided to withdraw his offer to buy Wembley should come as a huge disappointment to community footballers everywhere. ... This would have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make considerable inroads into probably the most pressing issue facing football in this country." Sport England Chair Nick Bitel "was more measured but his disappointment was equally plain." He said, "We agree with the view that the Wembley Stadium offer was a huge opportunity to boost funding into the development and maintenance of artificial and grass pitches up and down the country. Now that this deal is off the table, we hope the football family will now consider other ways the much-needed additional funds for grassroots facilities can be generated" (INDEPENDENT, 10/18).
THE IMMEDIATE CONCERN: In London, Kilpatrick & Muro reported Football Supporters' Federation Chair Malcolm Clarke opposed Khan’s bid to buy Wembley because his members "feared he would move Fulham to the national stadium." Clarke: "Supporters were worried about the stadium being used as a club home ground -- moving Fulham to Wembley was the immediate concern but it could apply to a future owner if Mr. Khan passed Wembley to somebody else. I wouldn't for a moment doubt Mr. Khan’s integrity but supporters have learned not to take everything owners say at face value. A basic survey we did of our members came out 2-to-1 against selling Wembley to Mr. Khan" (EVENING STANDARD, 10/18).
GLENN SPEAKS OUT: SKY SPORTS reported Glenn insisted there was "no plot to bring down any deal" to sell Wembley from within the FA. Glenn said, "You can't generalize about 127 individuals. The voting of the FA Council is stacked in favor of the amateur game, but the professional game has a golden share, so it can block anything it doesn't like. When you look at the CEOs of the FA counties, they were in favor of the deal. The more senior chairmen might be more skeptical, but there was nothing concerted about it. There was no plot, but what you have is a conservative group of people wary of change" (SKY SPORTS, 10/18).
