FA given vote of '˜no confidence' by MPs

The Football Association has received a vote of no confidence from MPs, amid calls for the Government to introduce laws to force it to reform.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Feb 2017, 17:37 BST
Updated 28th Feb 2017, 12:38 BST
FA chairman Greg Clarke has said he will step down if he fails to convince critics that the organisation is ready to change.FA chairman Greg Clarke has said he will step down if he fails to convince critics that the organisation is ready to change.
FA chairman Greg Clarke has said he will step down if he fails to convince critics that the organisation is ready to change.

Senior Conservative Damian Collins suggested ministers should intervene to overhaul English football’s governing body because “turkeys won’t vote for Christmas” and it will not reform itself.

FA chairman Greg Clarke has promised to step down if he fails to convince Sports Minister Tracey Crouch that the organisation is determined to make changes.

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Ms Crouch described the vote of no confidence, which is non-binding, as “premature”.

Mr Collins, chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, said the Government should introduce legislation in the 2017/18 session of Parliament if it is unsuccessful in getting the FA to reform.

He was joined by fellow Tories and Labour MPs in bemoaning the current state of the FA.

The cross-party motion stated that MPs have no confidence in the FA’s ability to comply fully with its duties as its existing governance structures make it “impossible for the organisation to reform itself”.

It was approved unopposed at the end of a backbench business debate, which was attended by fewer than 30 MPs.

Related topics:GovernmentMPs