2 Jul 2010FA 'should stand up to English Premier League'

Football Leagues/ Association and Governance | Football Referees, Players, Managers and Media

Bristol City manager Steve Coppell believes the strength of the English Premier League is having an adverse effect on the progress of the national side.

Speaking after England's heavy defeat to Germany at the FIFA World Cup, Coppell described England's top flight as the world's "most competitive", but suggested that its bosses should be made partly accountable for the performance of the England team.

"The [English Premier League] is its own governor and doesn't take interference from anyone else," he said. "We're guaranteed a lot of heartache unless somebody somewhere makes significant changes."

Former Manchester United winger Coppell criticised the FA as being a "toothless tiger" in terms of reining in the worst excesses of the English Premier League and suggested the country's top football clubs have shown little concern for the international game.

His comments came after Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan condemned the FA as being an "amateur organisation" during an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live.

Written by Mark Thompson

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