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Power threat to football chiefs Power threat to football chiefs
(about 4 hours later)
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has been told it could lose responsibility for the game and public funding if it does not modernise.The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has been told it could lose responsibility for the game and public funding if it does not modernise.
A Welsh assembly review of football accuses the association of lacking strategy and criticises its organisation and governance. A Welsh assembly review said the FAW lacks strategy and is badly organised.
The report warns that "without necessary change, governing body status could be removed". The FAW said only world football body Fifa could remove its powers but it might discuss the report at the next FAW meeting.
The FAW said it would not comment without first seeing the report. It said it did not believe the review reflected the assembly government sports minister's views.
The highly critical document concludes that the overall picture of the game is "one of some confusion and lack of co-ordination, with no obvious plan or vision for Welsh football". The highly critical report warns that "without necessary change, governing body status could be removed from the FAW".
It continues: "This would have unfortunate consequences for the sport as a whole, including Wales' recognition by Uefa."
Association Chief Executive David Collins dismissed the suggestion, saying that was a matter for world football's top table.
He said: "It's Fifa that actually authorises the governing body, not a political entity."
The review concludes that the overall picture of the game is "one of some confusion and lack of co-ordination, with no obvious plan or vision for Welsh football".
The document identifies three fundamental issues:The document identifies three fundamental issues:
  • football in Wales needs a strategy and vision
    		•
  • Football in Wales needs a strategy and vision
  • the FAW needs to "modernise and gain the confidence of the football community"
    		•
  • The FAW needs to "modernise and gain the confidence of the football community"
  • the FAW needs to "take visible responsibility for the overall direction and development of football in Wales"
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  • The FAW needs to "take visible responsibility for the overall direction and development of football in Wales"
    • The whole organisation needs to become more professional, streamlined and focused Ann Jones AM It's disappointing that they have not evaluated the evidence FAW Chief Executive David Collins
    The report warns that "without necessary change, governing body status could be removed from the FAW". The document also suggests that the assembly government and Sports Council for Wales should seriously consider how much money they put into football if the FAW does not immediately commit itself to acting on the report's recommendations.
    It continues: "This would have unfortunate consequences for the sport as a whole, including Wales' recognition by Uefa.
    "The committee does not wish to see that happen and believes that if the recommendations in this report are accepted by the FAW, the concerns of the Sports Council of Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government will have been met."
    The document also suggests that the assembly government and sports council should seriously consider how much money they put into football if the FAW does not immediately commit itself to acting on the report's recommendations.
    The sports council fears the consequences could be disastrous for Welsh football.The sports council fears the consequences could be disastrous for Welsh football.
    'Reflection''Reflection'
    Chief executive Huw Jones said: "There could be a loss of significant money at grassroots level and there could be a situation where the status of the national team is also affected.Chief executive Huw Jones said: "There could be a loss of significant money at grassroots level and there could be a situation where the status of the national team is also affected.
    "What we need is a situation of reflection."What we need is a situation of reflection.
    "We certainly want to work with the FAW and to help them in any way that we can, just as we would any other governing body.""We certainly want to work with the FAW and to help them in any way that we can, just as we would any other governing body."
    The 'blazer brigade' who control the FAW Council need to stand aside and the whole organisation needs to become more professional, streamlined and focused Labour AM Ann JonesThe 'blazer brigade' who control the FAW Council need to stand aside and the whole organisation needs to become more professional, streamlined and focused Labour AM Ann Jones
    In the report's foreword, culture, welsh language and sport committee chair Rosemary Butler says she is dismayed that the association refused to take part in the review. The FAW refused to give evidence to the football review, conducted by the assembly's culture, welsh language and sport committee.
    She said: "It has... been something of a disappointment since one of the key stakeholders, the governing body of football, chose not to engage in our discussions." Mr Collins has hit back at the AMs, accusing them of taking a 'bottom up' approach and ignoring the higher levels of the sport in Wales.
    She concludes: "The committee believes that the most popular sport in Wales deserves the best from those who govern it." He said: "When you look at the original (committee) transcripts only three people from Bangor, Rhyl, TNS made submissions, none of the professional leagues, clubs, area associations made any contributions.
    Another committee member, fellow Labour AM Ann Jones, said it was vital the FAW got its act together quickly. Mr Collins added: "It's disappointing that they have not evaluated the evidence."
    He maintained that this was a major omission by the committee because it was enthusiasm from the top of the professional game that enthused children in sport.
    Committee member and Labour AM Ann Jones, said it was vital the FAW got its act together quickly.
    She said: "The 'blazer brigade' who control the FAW Council need to stand aside and the whole organisation needs to become more professional, streamlined and focused.She said: "The 'blazer brigade' who control the FAW Council need to stand aside and the whole organisation needs to become more professional, streamlined and focused.
    The report called for a review of progress on its recommendations to be held within 12 months. The report calls for a review of progress on its recommendations within 12 months.
    The FAW has not yet seen the report and is not prepared to comment until it has. The issue will be covered in depth on Dragon's Eye on BBC2W at 2030 GMT on Thursday, and on BBC One Wales at 2235 GMT.
    The issue will be covered in depth on Dragon's Eye on BBC 2W at 2030 GMT on Thursday, and on BBC One Wales at 2235 GMT.