FA Votes For Burns Report Changes

The Football Association has agreed to take up the structural recommendations
made by a review conducted by Lord Burns including the installation of an
independent chairman for the governing body.

A vote at an FA Council annual general meeting resulted in 78.5% of the 915
votes opting in favour of the structural changes outlined by Lord Burns’ report
which was published late last year.

In order to effect any structural changes to the FA, over 75% of the overall
vote is required.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick said: ‘The decision marks the start of an
exciting new era for the FA. 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.’

The other major changes to the FA’s structure as a result of the vote include
the expansion of the FA Council to include representation from players, managers
and referees; a semi-autonomous Football Regulatory Authority to govern the
game, reporting to its own board; and a new funding formula dividing the FA’s
profits evenly between the professional and national games.

FA chairman Geoff Thompson will be now succeeded by an independent chairman
when he steps down next year.

Commented Lord Burns: ‘It’s very important to everybody that the FA are a
successful governing body. Having an independent chairman means that should be
possible – and the chief executive of the FA should also have a vote on the
board rather than just being in attendance.’