FA under fire for failing

Ipswich Chairman Sheepshanks tells the politicians of his woes

The growing number of controversies surrounding all aspects of British football has led to fresh calls for an independent body to regulate the sport.

Former ministers, supporters groups, chairmen and broadcasters have lined up to call for a shake-up in the way football is run in Britain.

Interested parties have had the opportunity to raise their issues at special hearings organised by the All Party Football Group which includes MPs and Peers with a passion for the sport.

Former Conservative Heritage Secretary David Mellor has called for the game to be dramatically cleaned up. He said the FA was "fatally flawed" and not up to the job of regulating itself.

He urged an arms length regulator be set up to monitor the national game.

Mr Mellor also regretted the demise of the independent taskforce he used to chair. He said he doubted whether anyone knew who the current chairman was.

'Wasted opportunity'

The taskforce was one of the first set up by Labour after their election victory in 1997.

Witnesses at 23 October hearing (broadcast 1 November) John Moules, Chief Executive of the Football Conference League Former Taskforce Chairman and Secretary of State David Mellor Niall Sloane and Peter Salmon from BBC Sport Jeff Farmer from Carlton TV Former Sports Minister Kate Hoey

It was applauded for taking a lead in encouraging clubs to improve disabled access and tackle racism at games.

Former Sports Minister Kate Hoey echoed some of David Mellor's concerns.

She said the taskforce was a "wasted opportunity" and said that the way the taskforce has been handled by the government "doesn't make nice reading".

Ms Hoey also attacked the FA for failing in its responsibility to clean up football and make the business more transparent.

Performance Related Pay?

The group is also considering whether footballers are paid too much.

With many clubs facing financial difficulties and some already in receivership, there have been claims that the amount footballers are paid per game should be capped as a result.

John Moules of the Conference League told of their scheme where players are given a 'salary guarantee', but paid on a performance-related basis.

But The Professional Footballers Association (PFA) has urged against such 'knee-jerk reactions or quick fixes'.

Chief Executive of the PFA Mick McGuire told the Group that financial problems of clubs go far deeper than the money paid out to players.

TV Rights

One of the biggest blows to football over the last year was the collapse of ITV Digital. In some cases, clubs lost out on millions of pounds previously guaranteed and on which they had prepared their budgets.

Members heard of the problems facing Ipswich Town FC.

Club Chairman David Sheepshanks said his club had written £2m into their budget plan - money they subsequently lost because of the collapse.

On top of that Ipswich's worst fear came true when they were relegated from the Premiership, losing more money and valued players.

According to Mr Sheepshanks towards the end of the season they had to start budgeting for relegation, which he says is against the spirit of competition.

The inquiry has one more session to go. And in January the All Party Group will produce a report on their findings and make recommendations as to the way forward.

Witnesses at 17 November hearing Football Association Premier League Football League

In the final hearing, the problems which have been aired and some of the solutions will be put to the governing bodies. The FA, the Premier League, and the Football League will face questions.

And the questions may be harsh. MPs are likely to tell the FA, clean up your act, or face independent regulation.

The penultimate meeting will be broadcast on Saturday 1 November at 1500GMT on BBC Parliament