FA get tough over club directors and finances

THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION are proposing the introduction of a "fit and proper person" test for club directors and a new national licence to help ensure the financial health of clubs.

The moves come as a Government-appointed watchdog, the Independent Football Commission, today released their second annual report.

In it, the commission have called for more regulation and control over finances in the game, as well as greater transparency.

The "fit and proper person" test, as well as the national licence, are just two of their recommendations, along with a "code of corporate governance" for clubs and a beefing up of the FA's compliance unit. However, the FA are already looking to introduce some of the key changes, with their own finance advisory committee set to report later this week.

The FA's committee is chaired by economist Kate Barker, formerly of the IFC, which is the successor to the Football Task Force.

Their aims seem to be shared, against a backdrop of 11 Football League clubs having gone into administration in the last two years, as well as the commission demanding that "closer supervision of football finance by the authoritiesis necessary". The commission added: "Public perception of the serious state and maladministration of football's finances are damaging and persistent. Firm regulation would be welcomed by a wide cross-section of football's stakeholders, including clubs."

One of the new regulations will be the introduction of a national licence which all clubs must attain. This is part of the UEFA licensing system which comes into force next season for teams taking part in European competitions.

If clubs fall foul of the new domestic licensing system, they could be fined, docked points or even face expulsion from their league.

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