2 Jul 2010Wigan Athletic chief slams English FA

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

England's FA has come under fire from Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan following the national side's latest failure at the FIFA World Cup.

In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Whelan questioned whether English football's governing body has the ability to adapt to the requirements of modern international football and suggested replacing the organisation with a new body.

"The FA is an amateur organisation running the world's biggest professional game," he said. "They haven't a clue how to run the England side, so let's get professionals in there."

Recently-appointed sports minister Hugh Robinson was quick to play down any suggestions that the FA should be disbanded, but acknowledged that football fans who made the journey to South Africa are likely to be "very angry".

Following England's exit from the competition, coach Fabio Capello urged English Premier League chiefs to consider introducing a winter break to ease some of the pressure on the country's top players.

Written by Paul Roberts

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