English game must change - Davies

Davies will discuss the issues with a panel of influential figures in a BBC Five Live football special on Thursday.

"I think the foreign influx - owners, managers, players - has been a great boost for the game in so many ways.

"But it's now reaching a point where young English players are not coming through the academies," he said.

Davies described some English football academies as "finishing schools for young foreign talent".

FOOTBALL'S FUTURE GOALS

• BBC Five Live, Thu 9 Aug, 2000-2200 BST
• Guests: Richard Scudamore, Brian Barwick, Karren Brady, Eggert Magnusson, David Sheepshanks, Lord Mawhinney, David James, Gareth Southgate
• Your questions:
  TEXT 85058
  E-MAIL fivelivesport@bbc.co.uk

Davies also believes there should be a change in the disciplinary procedures in football.

"The disciplinary process would be much better if it was opened up to public scrutiny," he said.

"Magistrates court, crown courts, industrial tribunals are all open to public scrutiny but the football cases go on behind closed doors."

FA chief Brian Barwick and Premier League boss Richard Scudamore will guest on the programme, which goes out at 2000 BST on Thursday.

Birmingham City managing director Karren Brady, West Ham owner Eggert Magnusson, Portsmouth goalkeeper David James and Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate will also appear.

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