By David Owen
January 9 – David Bernstein, the English Football Association (FA) chairman, is to step up his involvement with Ted Baker, the well-regarded fashion group.
Bernstein, 69, is to move up from non-executive director to non-executive chairman, in a change that will be interpreted, in part, as preparing the way for his departure from his FA post after his 70th birthday in May.
It emerged last October that Bernstein would have to go, after the FA Council refused to change its statutes so as to permit him to stay in charge beyond his 70th birthday.
An FA statement said that 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”.
Bernstein, who took over two years ago with the FA at a low ebb following the failed 2018 World Cup bid, looks set to go down as one of the
most successful FA chairmen of recent times.
In his relatively short spell in office, he has rebuilt bridges with the world governing body FIFA – after an awkward start – overseen the opening of the national football centre at St George’s Park and presided over a much-needed improvement in the FA’s financial situation.
For the year to 31 December 2011, the FA announced profits of almost £40 million, up from just £8.8 million 12 months earlier.
Bernstein should at least have the opportunity to go out in style, in a year that will see the FA celebrate its 150th anniversary.
On 25th May, Wembley will host the Champions League final, Europe’s club football showpiece, for the second time in three years.
The day before, just two days after Bernstein’s 70th birthday, London will host the Ordinary Congress of UEFA, the European football body.
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