FA dismisses ticket profits claim

The Charity Shield raises £1.5m through ticket sales

The Football Association has dismissed allegations regarding its distribution of the profits from the Charity Shield.

Reports of growing concerns about the FA's ticket arrangements for the game came in the wake of the Charity Commission's announcement that it was launching a formal inquiry into the matter.

The FA refutes allegations that it kept some of the money generated for itself rather than distributing it to charities.

However, it has admitted that there have been problems passing on information to supporters as to where their ticket money goes.

More than £1.5m is raised from ticket sales for the annual event.

After costs of staging the event and covering the expenses of the teams, the remaining money is distributed to worthwhile causes across the country.

We have nothing whatsoever to hide and we look forward to meeting with the Charity Commission to discuss all the matters fully

  FA spokesman

FA spokesman Adrian Bevington said: "We deny and refute completely the allegations made in reports today regarding suggesting ticketing arrangement problems with the Charity Shield.

"This is highly inaccurate, as are the figures that refer to the amount of money the FA takes from the game.

"We are a not-for-profit-making organisation and all non-costs generated from this fixture are donated to charity.

'Technical irregularity'

"What I can confirm is that there has been communication with the Charity Commission following notification of a technical irregularity with regard to the issuing of a summary of fund distribution from the game to be enclosed with tickets.

"We accept that only 25,000 ticket-holders received notification of the fund distribution process raised by the Charity Shield as opposed to the full allocation.

"This was due to unforeseen administrative circumstances.

"However as a further measure we have placed a full-page article in the Charity Shield match programme to help reach the remaining supporters."

Bevington added that the FA was "dismayed" at the timing of the Charity Commission's report.

"It does seem rather ironic that the Charity Commission, which with all respect is not the most high-profile organisation, chose to time this notification to coincide with the event.

"The irony is not lost on the FA and we will certainly be speaking to senior government figures."