Under-pressure FA unveils governance reform proposals

At least three of the Football Association’s (FA) 10-strong board will be female by 2018 following several reforms the governing body is proposing.

To improve the diversity across the association further, 11 new members will be appointed to the FA Council from female or ethnic minority backgrounds.

Heather Rabbatts is the only current member of the FA board that is female and from a minority ethnic background, while the FA’s 122-member council has only eight women and four people from ethnic backgrounds represented.

The body has been under pressure to alter its governance model after several threats by sports minister Tracey Crouch to remove its public funding if changes weren’t made.

Parliament also ushered in a vote of no confidence for the governing body a month ago.

However, following a six-month review, the FA has also agreed to introduce term limits for board membership. Board members will only be able to serve for three three-year terms.

Greg Clarke, the FA chair, said the package of reforms “represent huge progress”.

“From FIFA downwards, we are rightly seeing a drive for good governance in football,” he added.

“These reforms are a significant step forward in making the leadership of football more inclusive and representative. They will ensure greater independence and diversity into our decision making structure and therefore improve our game.”

The FA Council will debate the recommendations on 21 March before it votes on 3 April.