Former FA Chair David Bernstein "called for a levy to be introduced on Premier League income" to solve the "disgrace" of "dilapidated grassroots football facilities" following the collapse of the Wembley sale, according to Jeremy Wilson of the London TELEGRAPH. In recommending a £600M ($781.8M) deal for the national stadium, the FA released a "series of stark statistics that disclosed how one in six matches were cancelled last season because of pitch quality." The FA also reported that only one in three pitches was deemed "adequate" and had promised that the entire income from League Championship side Fulham Owner Shahid Khan’s offer would be "ploughed back into grassroots" and eventually be worth £1.5B ($1.9B) to the amateur game. That funding will not be forthcoming -- a situation described as "disgusting and devastating" by campaigners for grassroots football -- and Bernstein now believes that the EPL should "contribute more to the communities." Bernstein: "There is not anywhere near enough money at the bottom end of our game -- grassroots has been neglected. We are completely out of balance in this country. It does pay some monies across to other parts of football but it is nowhere near enough. ... It is a major, major issue. It is something that should be explored and, if necessary, looked at by government" (TELEGRAPH, 10/17). The BBC reported since '00, the EPL has paid about £301.9M ($393.4M) to grassroots projects via the Football Foundation. But that amounts to 3% of the £8.4B ($11B) TV deal for the current three-year cycle from '16-19. Former England defender and coach Gary Neville said that the money from the Wembley sale "would have disappeared" within 10 years (BBC, 10/18).
'GOOD LUCK WITH THAT': In London, Martyn Ziegler reported FA CEO Martin Glenn "expressed doubts" that EPL clubs would accept a tax on agents' fees or transfers to be spent on grassroots football. He questioned "whether it would be feasible" to use such a levy to "boost grassroots funding." Glenn: "Gary Neville would say put a tax on agents and a windfall tax on the Premier League. Good luck with that. But the value of where we are is that the whole thing is now a wider debate among politicians and other people who can make a difference." He had "championed the Wembley sale but insisted he has no intention of quitting as a result of the collapse of the deal." He added, "I feel as committed as ever. I feel proud about what I've done" (LONDON TIMES, 10/18).
