Independent body to monitor game

A new independent body to monitor club owners and directors and to deal with on and off-the-field discipline will be set up under wide-reaching proposals to reform English football.

The proposal to set up the FA Regulatory Authority (FARA) is contained in the football authorities' co-ordinated response to the Government's call for better governance in the game. It also suggests setting up a new club licensing system and to cut the number of FA board members from 14 to eight or 12.

The Football Association, Premier League, Football League and the amateur game have submitted the proposals jointly. Their response states: "The FARA will be responsible for the operation of the disciplinary procedures for on and off-field offences and for ensuring that the penalties applied adhere to the highest regulatory standards."

It continues: "The FARA will also oversee the consideration and determination of complaints, disputes and other matters relating to alleged breaches of FA rules and regulations, including appeals from county FAs.

"The tasks of the new FARA will include the determination of applications under FA and league owners and directors' criteria, and also determination of applications for ground moves."

The response follows a Parliamentary inquiry into football which was called after sports minister Hugh Robertson last year described it as the "worst-governed sport in the country". He recently said that was no longer the case.

The proposals stop short of meeting the MPs' demands for a licensing system that imposes financial restrictions on clubs' spending or mirrors UEFA's financial fair play system. Although the Football League's three divisions all have some financial control measures, the Premier League have resisted bringing in any similar formal restrictions.

Robertson highlighted football finance as an issue that must be reviewed again in the future. He said: "Plans for a smaller FA board, club licensing system, establishment of an FA Regulatory Authority and closer working relationship between clubs and supporter groups are all moves that I welcome.

"However attention continues to focus on the issue of football finance and the football authorities must keep their rules under review to ensure clubs are on a sure footing going forward.

"I would like to see football implement these reforms as soon as possible for the good of the game."