dongonzalos
Well-Known Member
Man who would lead any further investigation says one-off session with FA and Football League a possibility late in the year
The man who would lead any inquiry into the Sky Blues saga says developments in Coventry “exemplify’’ problems faced by the current system of football governance.
MP John Whittingdale, chairman of the Department for Culture Media and Sport select committee, made the statement as he replied to calls from Coventry South MP Jim Cunningham to conduct an investigation into the situation at Coventry City.
Mr Cunningham wrote to Mr Whittingdale to raise awareness of the fixfootball.co.uk epetition which calls for a short inquiry into the situation which has seen Coventry City leave the city to play “home” games 35 miles away in Northampton .
However, Mr Whittingdale appeared to play down the potential for any investigation into the Sky Blues in the short term - but hinted that stance may change towards the end of the year after a meeting with the Football League in autumn.
He said: “While I agree that developments in Coventry seem to exemplify some of the issues which have caused us most concern, it is doubtful whether a further inquiry repeating our recommendations would be helpful so soon after our two previous inquiries.
“However, we have not yet taken evidence from Greg Dyke, and it is possible that we might hold a one-off session with the FA and the Football League to explore progress in improving governance. Unfortunately, we have a full forward programme well into the autumn, so such a session might not take place until October or November.”
Jim Cunningham MP
Mr Cunningham responded by criticising the delay in plans to reform football governance.
He said: “I am disappointed that he does not feel a further inquiry would be helpful at this time but I am pleased that he agreed with me that Coventry exemplifies the most concerning problems with football governance.
“I look forward to the evidence of Greg Dyke and very much support the idea of a one-off evidence session as he suggests.
“It is high time the government brings forward legislation on football reform, as it has promised.
“The select committee said that unless the football authorities made substantial changes to their practices and structure within a year, the government should legislate.
“It is clear that the football authorities have made no such significant changes and so legislation is the only way to ensure reform.”
The man who would lead any inquiry into the Sky Blues saga says developments in Coventry “exemplify’’ problems faced by the current system of football governance.
MP John Whittingdale, chairman of the Department for Culture Media and Sport select committee, made the statement as he replied to calls from Coventry South MP Jim Cunningham to conduct an investigation into the situation at Coventry City.
Mr Cunningham wrote to Mr Whittingdale to raise awareness of the fixfootball.co.uk epetition which calls for a short inquiry into the situation which has seen Coventry City leave the city to play “home” games 35 miles away in Northampton .
However, Mr Whittingdale appeared to play down the potential for any investigation into the Sky Blues in the short term - but hinted that stance may change towards the end of the year after a meeting with the Football League in autumn.
He said: “While I agree that developments in Coventry seem to exemplify some of the issues which have caused us most concern, it is doubtful whether a further inquiry repeating our recommendations would be helpful so soon after our two previous inquiries.
“However, we have not yet taken evidence from Greg Dyke, and it is possible that we might hold a one-off session with the FA and the Football League to explore progress in improving governance. Unfortunately, we have a full forward programme well into the autumn, so such a session might not take place until October or November.”
Jim Cunningham MP
Mr Cunningham responded by criticising the delay in plans to reform football governance.
He said: “I am disappointed that he does not feel a further inquiry would be helpful at this time but I am pleased that he agreed with me that Coventry exemplifies the most concerning problems with football governance.
“I look forward to the evidence of Greg Dyke and very much support the idea of a one-off evidence session as he suggests.
“It is high time the government brings forward legislation on football reform, as it has promised.
“The select committee said that unless the football authorities made substantial changes to their practices and structure within a year, the government should legislate.
“It is clear that the football authorities have made no such significant changes and so legislation is the only way to ensure reform.”
