The People’s Football Association - #FAEQUALITYNOW campaign group wants to make the biggest changes to football’s governing body since it was founded in 1863.

In its current form, the FA is not fit for purpose.  There has been institutional failure regarding child abuse, safeguarding and the Sheldon report; not to mention dementia and inclusion.

 

Football involves players, coaches, referees, the parents of youth players and fans, accounting for more than seven million people according to the FA.

 

The FA has neither the modernity of approach nor independence required to modernise its own governance nor exercise regulatory control over football.

 

The FA’s decision-making structures are arcane and convoluted leading, to a lack of clarity and steeped in vested interests, intransigence and short-termism.

 

The FA Council is outdated, with a representative from each of the armed forces, public schools and Oxford and Cambridge Universities. We have 17 life/senior Vice Presidents, most of who have been there since the 1980s. Should the FA really be a private members’ club.

 

Changing the structure and composition of the FA is the platform to create a level playing field.

 

Meanwhile, the Premier League wields soft power throughout the FA and the football family, directly funding the PFA, League Managers’ Association, Football Supporters Association (FSA) Kick It Out and the Football Foundation.

 

In the latter they also are part of the governance – do we really want the Premier League to have this type of control?

 

#FAEqualityNow believes that the government must address these significant shortcomings in the Football Association’s structure, composition and articles of association.

In June of this year #FAEQUALITYNow presented a substantial submission to the Government fan-led review, chaired by Tracey Crouch.

 

#FAEQUALITYNOW have today publicly published its ‘#FAEQUALITYNow Blueprint For Change’ plan which will make English football truly accessible and open for all, both now and in the future.

 

The new #FAEQUALITYNOW constitution and governance structure includes:

 

·        Open FA Membership to engage all individuals who want to be a part of the FA, which would be truly democratic, open, accessible and independent with one person one vote. This would democratise the FA and give millions the opportunity to become members. This FA Membership would vote for representatives of a 24-person Board, in open, democratic elections.

·        Anyone can stand for FA Board election.

·        An independent-led FA and one single board to govern English Football.

·        The Football Association to become a public body and come under the Freedom of Information Act. A public led Football Association which includes everyone.

Lets together make the biggest public change of the oldest football governing body in the world.

More information: www.faequalitynow.com