Sutcliffe Slams Football’s Empty Promises

The government has launched a stinging attack on the various football governing bodies in the UK, in particular The Football Association, with Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe questioning their ability to deliver on long-held promises to implement change.

Sutcliffe has written to the heads of the FA, Premier League and Football League, openly querying their ability to work together.

In particular, Sutcliffe’s letter expresses disappointment at The FA’s apparent lack of development in crucial areas of the national game.

The government’s criticism stems in part from The FA’s lack of progress on implementing in full the recommendations of the 2005 Burns report.

Lord Burns was asked to conduct a thorough review of English football’s governing body with the aim of making it a stronger, more transparent organisation.

In response The FA has stated: ‘We are looking forward to receiving the letter and studying it carefully. The issues raised by the original questions and the Minister’s response represent important challenges to the game at all levels.

‘They merit careful thought and a proper response with football working together in partnership.’

Sutcliffe said his letter to The FA, Premier League and Football League was prompted by an uncoordinated approach from the three bodies to answering a series of questions put to them last year by the-then Culture Secretary Andy Burnham.

He also warned the government might consider withdrawing its £25m grassroots investment in football if The FA fails to address its concerns.

Said Sutcliffe: ‘That’s one of the levers we have. It would be a last resort, and we certainly wouldn’t want to do anything that would harm grassroots football. We will wait to see what The FA’s response is to the letter that we put forward.’

Sutcliffe denied the government’s criticisms could threaten The FA’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup finals.

‘No, definitely not. At the start of the letter it says English football is a success story. But this is a conversation that has been had now for a number of years. It started off in 2005, all I’m doing is continuing the dialogue.

‘The problem was we had three individual responses to the questions Andy Burnham put last year. I think that in itself shows that there needs to be a coming together on the key issues.’