Watmore wants restructuring of Football Association

By David Gold

March 22 – Ian Watmore, the former chief executive of the Football Association, has criticised the organisation and called for it to be restructured under the guidance of an independent board.

Watmore was appointed to the post in February 2009, but resigned 13 months later, citing the obstacles to implementing his vision for the FA’s future as the reason for his departure.

He spoke at the inquiry into football governance being conducted by the Culture Media and Sport Select Committee, revealing the depth of his frustration during his time at Soho Square.

“I think the words at the time I used was there was nothing chief or executive about the job and that is why [I left],” said Watmore, who is now the Permanent Secretary at the Cabinet Office, taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer for the new Efficiency and Reform Group.

“I was frustrated about a number of things and just could not do it.

“Most of what I was trying to do either hit the buffers, got stuck in governance or was just impossible to do and I didn’t really feel I had control.”

He said that he sent a note to the Committee carrying out the inquiry, arguing that the “FA should be independent of inflicted interests.”

“The reason I argue that is because an organisation like the FA is seen to be the governing body of football yet has people on its board who have a severe conflicted interest.

“They are very good people, have a very good knowledge, experience and so on but are conflicted.

“I think the usual analogy I would use is you would not want to run Ofcom with Sky, BT and the BBC.”

Despite his stinging criticism of the FA, Watmore was at pains to point out that the individuals at the organisation were not to blame for its problems.

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