Football chiefs warned by Government they have until March to clean up the game

The Governnent has demanded urgent changes to the way English football is run - from controlling debt to a shake-up at the Football Association. Football authorities now have until March next year to bring in sweeping changes or face intervention from the government. The FA has a deadline of February 29 to change the way it is run and introduce a new licensing system for clubs. This is the Government’s response to the select committee report on football governance. The proposals include a plan to have a fans' representative on every club board and the mandatory release of players for England duty. They may now put the Government on a collision course with the Premier League. On finances, the Government says there should be a role for the FA, working with the leagues, to protect the game. The response states: 'The Government shares the concern expressed by the committee at the extent of losses and the number of clubs on the edge of viability. 'Debt per se is not always a bad thing, but it must be genuinely sustainable and should be assessed as a percentage of turnover. 'Government believes that there is a legitimate role for the national governing body, working hand in hand with competition organisers, to ensure that appropriate and consistent checks and balances are in place to protect the overall financial integrity of the national game and its long-term viability. 'The recent moves by the Football League to work towards a break-even rule in the Championship are a welcome indication of the appetite amongst many clubs for a change.' The Government says there should be a system of licensing for clubs where financial sustainability and robust checks on club owners and directors are included. The response adds: 'The Government expects that the issue of financial sustainability should be addressed as part of the recommendations on the new licensing model.' Sports minister Hugh Robertson said: 'This country is hugely passionate about our national game and there are many reasons we should be pleased with how it has progressed over the last two decades. Measures: Hugh Robertson 'However I believe that there are improvements that can be made in the governance arrangements, which have failed to keep up with the changing pace of the modern game. 'I do not want Government to run football, so this is an opportunity for the football family to work together to benefit the game in the long term.' The Government have set a deadline of the end of February for the changes to be brought in and have threatened to introduce legislation if the game does not make reforms. That would require the FA, the Premier League and the Football League all to agree on making the necessary changes. The Government's proposals also call for reform of the FA board. The suggested new structure would be made up of a chairman, general secretary, two further FA executives 'bringing wider football expertise', two independent non-executive directors and two each from the professional and national game. The FA Council's role should be changed so that committees report to the FA board instead, with a maximum limit of eight years for council members. The football authorities should look at ways to encourage more fans on clubs' boards, say the Government, and clubs should be forced to release players for England duty at all age levels from under 17 upwards. The report makes clear the Government's threat to bring in legislation if reforms are not made. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2048238/Football-chiefs-warned-Government-March-clean-game.html#ixzz1aaD7aLya