Richard Caborn wants to be next chairman of FA

By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

July 3 – Former Sports Minister Richard Caborn has put himself forward to replace Lord Triesman as the chairman of the Football Association.

The 66-year-old Sheffield United fan was Sports Minister for six years between 2001 and 2007 and served under both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown when they were Prime Minister.

He was instrumental in London’s successful campaign to host the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics and was appointed as Brown’s special ambassador for England’s World Cup bid to stage the 2018 World Cup.

Roger Burden, head of the FA’s National Game Board, is the acting chairman following the resignation of Triesman in May.

Triesman, a friend of Caborn’s, was forced to step down after he accused Spain and Russia of colluding to bribe referees during the World Cup in South Africa to help Russia’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

Caborn told the Mail on Sunday: “If people are up for change, then I’m up for it and, yes, I would stand.

“The FA has to become a governing body with credibility and influence and has to assert its authority and bang a few heads together.

“And it needs to change its mode of governance.

“It has had four England managers and five chief executives in the last decade and needs some stability.”

The Government wants an independent chairman as detailed in the controversial Burns report, although whether they would back a Labour-supporting one is unknown.

Caborn stood down as the MP for Sheffield Central after 17 years before the last General Election.

Caborn said: “I believe there is a mood for change [at the FA] but I would have to have a clear indication that all parties in English football are willing to change now.

“If they are, I believe I could bring them together.

“The first thing that needs to be done is to implement the Burns Report to make sure that there are independent directors on the FA’s main board.”

Caborn is a close ally of Sir Dave Richards, the chairman of the Premier League, who have accused of not supporting the England team.

Caborn told the Mail on Sunday: “The Premier League have been working to keep the FA weak, but I think that they are acknowledging something has to be done now.

“I know Dave Richards is incredibly supportive of the England team.

“They are basically 20 chairmen and chief executives with different agendas but I believe you can embrace that and get them to work for English football.

“The Premier League may not like some of that but they should know that there are storm clouds gathering.

“They have issues of ownership and home-grown players that need to be addressed and they need to be leading or they will find themselves under pressure from UEFA.”

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