FA full of 'elderly white men' who are resistant to change, say former football chiefs

[Dharmabum]

http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/foo...ange-say-former-football-chiefs-a3417776.html

FA full of 'elderly white men' who are resistant to change, say former football chiefs

Five former Football Association chiefs have urged the Government to reform the structure of the organisation, criticising its upper ranks as being "out of balance" and filled with "elderly white men".

The ex-bosses wrote to Damian Collins, chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, claiming that the "well-meaning individuals" are "collectively unrepresentative of English society" and "under-qualified" to deal with the FA's role in modern football.

David Bernstein, David Davies, Greg Dyke, Alex Horne and David Triesman called for legislation to be passed, blaming the FA's "inability to reform and modernise in a fast-changing world".

The letter also said the FA lacks independence and makes decisions based on vested interests due to a lack of checks and balances.

It said the FA was resistant to change, and that Parliament needs to step in.

The letter concluded: "Football is a much-loved sport enjoyed by millions, and it has genuine cultural significance in the country which first codified what is now a global sport.

"A focused intervention can undoubtedly build on these attributes, as has been recognised in many past inquiries and reports. It would give millions of players and fans confidence they will no longer be marginal to the future of their sport.

"It may well move us to redressing the woeful lack of English players or managers and the embarrassing failures of our national team for the past 50 years."

Responding to the letter, Collins wrote: "The select committee shares your concern that the current structure of the FA makes it impossible for it to reform itself.

"As such, there is currently no effective governing body for football in England that is capable of responding to the challenges that face the modern game."

Collins said the committee is working to prepare a draft Bill which would reform the structure of the FA. He also said the committee would ask for a debate in the House of Commons calling for a vote of no confidence in the FA.

"We cannot afford to wait any longer," he said.

A statement from the FA in response to the letter to Collins read: "The FA is currently working on governance reforms to adhere to Sport England and UK Sport's Governance Code for Sport which was released in October this year.

"The FA welcomes the new Code as a means of ensuring that sports organisations in receipt of public money are operating in an effective and transparent manner that best supports their sports. We will continue to work with the appropriate bodies, DCMS and Sport England, to achieve this joint ambition."

 

[brendanb50]

For me this is still a major issue at practically every level of governance, in the UK and abroad.

There are just far too many powerful bodies which are made up almost exclusively of the same types of people, from the same types of background, who have no core love or understanding of the sport, department or government they're running, let alone the people affected by their decisions.

But whilst there's a 'boys club' in control it will stay that way. They make sure of it.

 

[Dougal]

They were saying this about the FA in the 80's. Most of those lot are dead now.

 

[Dharmabum]

They were saying this about the FA in the 80's. Most of those lot are dead now.

Replace by other old men with the same mentality.

 

[youngyids]

Captain Obvious to the rescue!

 

[Azazello]

They were saying this about the FA in the 80's. Most of those lot are dead now.

Yes, but they've still got their jobs.

 

[1882andallthat]

Ironically said by 5 older white middle aged men.....

 

[UncleBuck]

Racist

 

[Gassin's finest]

TBF, the main problem is that the people who play the game professionally, show very little interest in actually running the game once they retire.

 

[Danny1]

Hang on a minute, I might be in the minority here but is this not seen as a racist article? What does the colour of their skin have anything to do with the fact that they are resistant to change? I agree things need to change at the FA but what difference would it make by appointing elderly black men? What actually needs to happen is someone to come in with fresh ideas on how to run things professionally.

At the minute, every time someone uses the word 'black' in a negative way they are vilified for being a bigot or a racist (quite correctly in my opinion), yet using the term 'white' in a negative way is just brushed aside.

 

[chaching]

Hang on a minute, I might be in the minority here but is this not seen as a racist article? What does the colour of their skin have anything to do with the fact that they are resistant to change? I agree things need to change at the FA but what difference would it make by appointing elderly black men? What actually needs to happen is someone to come in with fresh ideas on how to run things professionally.

At the minute, every time someone uses the word 'black' in a negative way they are vilified for being a bigot or a racist (quite correctly in my opinion), yet using the term 'white' in a negative way is just brushed aside.

I think the comment about white men was about the lack of diversity rather than saying all white men are resistant to change. I don't know if it would be noted if they were all black women who were resistant to change but there is little chance that we would be in a position to find that out..

 

[worcestersauce]

So old white men can't do a job so why are we taking notice of the old white men who are saying this.
who are the vested interests of whom they speak anyway? Grass roots, county associations, amateur clubs? They may have a point but why so vague.

 

[WorcesterTHFC]

TBF, the main problem is that the people who play the game professionally, show very little interest in actually running the game once they retire.

Although I gave you an 'agree' rating, I don't see too many current or recently-retired players who would make good administrators. When you consider what a bollocks Michel Platini made of his UEFA presidency, you can probably understand why former players don't get too many jobs running the game.

 

[aliyid]

Other shock news, the majority of "WI" members are old white women...

 

[dontcallme]

So old white men can't do a job so why are we taking notice of the old white men who are saying this.
who are the vested interests of whom they speak anyway? Grass roots, county associations, amateur clubs? They may have a point but why so vague.

I think the point is about the same old people being in charge and resistant to change.

One accepted stereotype is of older white men being in powerful positions but being out of touch with society and maintaining the status quo.

Like many stereotypes I guess there is truth in this. But naturally this won't always be the case and it is easy to argue that it is wrong to tar every white man in power with this brush.

Football is a very multi-cultural game and the women's game is getting better funded. It's easy to argue the FA should be more representative of the people that play the sport.

Not sure I really care to be honest.

 

[DJS]

Hang on a minute, I might be in the minority here but is this not seen as a racist article? What does the colour of their skin have anything to do with the fact that they are resistant to change? I agree things need to change at the FA but what difference would it make by appointing elderly black men? What actually needs to happen is someone to come in with fresh ideas on how to run things professionally.

At the minute, every time someone uses the word 'black' in a negative way they are vilified for being a bigot or a racist (quite correctly in my opinion), yet using the term 'white' in a negative way is just brushed aside.

I agree, I feel it's racist.

You wouldn't be allowed to say black men so why can you describe them all as white men?

Tolerance and equality go both ways.