By Andrew Warshaw
October 18 – English Football Association (FA) chairman David Bernstein will be forced to resign from the post in May next year after the FA Council refused to change its statutes that would have allowed him to remain in charge beyond his 70th birthday.
The FA Board put forward a proposal to waive the rule requiring directors to stand down when they turn 70 so that Bernstein (pictured top) could continue but the full FA Council turned this down in a 45-40 vote.
“Despite strong support for the chairman’s ongoing leadership, in a close vote the council voted against the amendment on the basis that it would be inappropriate to change known and agreed rules on an individual basis,” said an FA statement.
Bernstein replaced Lord Triesman as FA chairman in December 2010 and the organisation will now be forced to look for a new head in the year it celebrates its 150th birthday.
“I respect the decision and I remain committed to fulfilling my responsibilities and to building on what we have achieved over the past two years,” Bernstein said.
“Next year is a significant one in the FA’s history and I look forward to leading the organisation in the months ahead.”
The decision is nevertheless a blow to the authority of Bernstein (pictured above, centre) who has overseen a stormy period in English football with some controversial but bold actions – including calling for FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s controversial election to be delayed – but who has done much to bring some dignity back to the English game.
One of his successor’s first jobs will be to host next year’s UEFA Congress in London.
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