(English footy) Premier League lays base for power grab against English FA

[SirFozzie]

The battle lines have been drawn up by the Premier League after they submitted a critical report to the independent review into the future of the Football Association.

Lord Terence Burns, who is set to conclude his review of the FA this summer, is facing a diplomatic minefield after the Premier League exposed the deep divisions in the game with their submission.

Conclusions that 'the current way of working is unsustainable' and 'trust is lacking in the game at every level' have left those at Soho Square in no doubt where the Premier League are coming from.

Leading clubs want to exert greater control of the England team and the FA Cup, while harbouring doubts over the FA's ability to set up the new Wembley stadium.

They are also concerned about the present structure of the FA, believing the 92-man council - with many members from the amateur game - and numerous committees is outdated.

The FA were today remaining relatively relaxed about the Premier League's decision to lift the lid on their true feelings after months of shadow boxing between the two organisations.

Senior figures insist they will not be making their own submission public, while refusing to respond publicly to the Premier League's effective attack on their supremacy.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore nevertheless defended the submission, stressing it was important for them to state their case for change as forcefully as possible.

'I don't think it serves any purpose holding back the need for this,' he told BBC Radio Five Live.

'Most constituent parts of the game recognise and feel some of the tension. Anyone who does not think there is any need for change is not closely associated with the challenges we face on a daily basis.'

The Premier League's desire for greater influence with the England team and the FA Cup does not amount to a full-scale takeover, but they certainly want to have a greater say in the two jewels in the FA crown.

'The FAPL (Football Association Premier League) wants the England team to be successful, both on the pitch and commercially. It is one of the FAPL's own core objectives to achieve this,' said the report.

'The FAPL believes that the England team 'belongs' to the whole of English football, to the country. However, it can often be the cause of tension - the so-called 'club v country' debate.

'Perversely, the clubs can feel very detached from it and the decisions that are made around it.

'The FAPL and clubs want to be involved actively - it makes sense for the FAPL and the clubs to feel greater, not less, involvement and ownership.

'The same goes for the FA Cup. Antagonism can occur due to clubs feeling the competition is not really 'theirs' in any meaningful way. This is unhealthy for the game as a whole.

'It is not the FAPL's position that it should 'own' the rights associated with the England team and the FA Cup. We have no right or desire to demand this.

'However, at the same time it must be right for the game as a whole that clubs who employ the talent have confidence in the processes and people who make decisions.'

The Premier League are not the only organisation consulted by Lord Burns, with the Football League, fans' groups, the Professional Footballers' Association and League Managers' Association involved.

However, according to their report, change must happen in order to improve the future of the game.

'It is the view of the FAPL that the FA and all its stakeholders (including the FAPL itself) need to adopt the necessary changes to create a more appropriate and efficient FA and for all in the game to be prepared to operate in a different way,' it said.

'There is an underlying sense of conflict and alienation between the constituent parts of the game.

'The professional game and the recreational/national game are two sides of the same coin - however the relationship between the two has never been properly resolved. Now is the time to do so.

'The FAPL has no fixed view as the outcome but is prepared to play a full role in the process and debate to shape one acceptable to all.'

The Premier League, who want more influence with FIFA and UEFA, claim the FA cannot manage the development of the £757million Wembley stadium and the on-off £20million National Football Centre near Burton-upon-Trent.

'It is apparent from the recent events that the current structure is no longer capable of properly managing its roles,' added the report.

'The strains and tensions of carrying out all these functions have resulted in conflict and friction.'