Burns' FA reforms pushed through

The English Football Association will look for an independent chairman after shareholders approved plans to reform the organisation.

The reforms passed with a 78.5 percent vote in favour, coming in slightly above the 75-percent mark needed for measures to pass. The vote comes nearly two years after Lord Terry Burns delivered a report on restructuring the FA.

There were some concerns among FA bosses that the proposals might be defeated by small margins. Adding to the mess was a late amendment proposal submitted by FA vice president for life Ray Berridge, who wanted two chairmen appointed. That was knocked down at the start of the meeting, and the votes in favour followed.

"This was a vote for change, and for a modern, representative and effective FA which is better equipped to take decisions in the wider interests of the game," FA chief executive Brian Barwick said. "I would like to thank Lord Burns for setting us on the path to modernisation, and to recognise the enormous amount of work that has gone into shaping his recommendations into a new-look FA."

The FA insists it will not headhunt candidates for the part-time, non-executive post with a salary in the neighbourhood of GBP 100,000 a year. The FA wants to have found a viable candidate by next January, giving the newcomer time to work with current chair Geoff Thompson before he steps aside in August of 2008.

Among the changes voted in are the implementation of a semi-autonomous disciplinary body and a more clearly defined separation of the professional and amateur sections of the game. The FA Council will be expanded and become more representative of football's changing culture with more women and ethnic minority members elected.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.