THE INDEPENDENT FOOTBALL COMMISSION Annual Report 2006 www.theifc.co.uk CONTENTS CONTENTS THE INDEPENDENT FOOTBALL COMMISSION Annual Report 2006 Page 04 Chairman’s Foreword 06 Executive Summary 09 The IFC Commissioners and staff 10 2006 Recommendations Chapters: 12 1 Governance and Finance 22 2 Diversity and Equal Opportunities 30 3 Community 41 4 Child Protection Report 48 5 Charters 56 6 Agents 65 7 The Experience of English Supporters in European Club Competitions 2005-06 Update 72 8 The Complaints Process 76 9 Coming Up in 2007 Annexes: 80 A Implementation of 2005 Recommendations 83 B Meetings, Visits, Consultations and Matches 85 C Issues Raised with the IFC 86 D Complaints Referred to the IFC: Summary Findings 87 E The Experience of English Supporters in European Club Competitions 2005-06 Recommendations 89 F IFC Publications IFC Annual Report 2006 03 Welcome to this, the fifth Annual Report of the Independent Football Commission, which marks an important milestone in the life of the IFC. When the Commission began its work in 2002, it was unclear how this new regulatory body would fit into football’s structure of governance. Or indeed for that matter, whether the IFC would survive very long, given the scepticism of some about the role of a self-regulatory body. The IFC has, in fact, been given an extended and indefinite mandate and is now regarded by the football authorities as an integral part of English football’s regulatory system. HAIRMAN’S CFOREWORD 04 CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD THE IFC HAS HAD MUCH TO SAY AND I BELIEVE THAT THE COMMISSION HAS MADE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO THE EMERGENCE OF A REFORM AGENDA FOR FOOTBALL. IN MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS, THE LARGE MAJORITY OF WHICH HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED AND IMPLEMENTED, THE IFC HAS BEEN ABLE TO INFLUENCE AND SUPPORT IMPROVEMENTS IN THE WAY ENGLISH FOOTBALL IS RUN five year period is sufficiently long to permit an On these and many other issues the IFC has had much to say and A assessment of how far the landscape of English I believe that the Commission has made a major contribution football has changed since I and the first Board of to the emergence of a reform agenda for football. In making Commissioners were appointed in the latter part of 2001. recommendations, the large majority of which have been accepted The most significant developments over that five year period and implemented, the IFC has been able to influence and support include: improvements in the way English football is run. Of course, concerns remain and there is always more that could be done to address the • The introduction of a fit and proper person test into football needs of a game which has such a unique and powerful hold over governance arrangements English popular life and culture. The IFC will continue to monitor • The reforms in the Football Association’s governance arising actively the work of the football authorities and to research topics from the Burns enquiry which are of most concern to supporters and other stakeholders. The stricter regulation of football agents, particularly the • To turn to the work of the Commission in 2006, it has been another exclusion of dual representation and the requirements for active and busy year. Much attention was devoted to an extended and players to pay their own agents’ fees thorough enquiry into the experience of English supporters following The spread of professional and prudent financial • their teams in Europe. A full separate report was published towards management and a growing commitment to financial the end of 2006 and the relevance and currency of our comments and transparency recommendations were confirmed when there were further difficulties The development of comprehensive and effective anti-racism • in this season’s Champions League. Most of the recommendations strategies and a more visible equal opportunities culture were addressed to UEFA. While we have received a response, as our which aims to remove all forms of discrimination from chapter in this report discusses, it is somewhat disappointing that English football UEFA has not replied in detail to our very full list of recommendations. • The widespread improvements in customer care and the open commitment to improving the supporters’ experience, We also continued our work on agents and, because of the work of as illustrated by the Customer Charters of both clubs and the football authorities, such as the Stevens enquiry, it was decided authorities not to publish a single report on this topic. The developments on • An impressive and deeply rooted support for a diverse range the regulation of agents are fully discussed in this Annual Report. of community initiatives which focus on the positive power This report also reflects the regular work of the Commission in the of football to improve health, education and social conditions areas of finance and governance, equal opportunities, child protection, • The willingness of football to address seriously concerns community, charters and complaints. It is hoped that this inclusion of a over child protection and the introduction of measures regular list of IFC topics is helpful in measuring year on year changes in to ensure that children can participate in football in a safe policy and practice. environment I fully recognise that the work of the Commission owes much to A marked improvement in the dialogue with fans, as • our small and dedicated office team based in Stockton-on-Tees and expressed, for example, in the growth of fans’ forums, the I thank them for bringing the work of the Commission to fruition. evolution of englandfans and the success of Supporters This year again I have received invaluable support from my fellow Direct Commissioners, for which many thanks. ● • A welcome extension in the collaboration between the three football authorities, through the establishment of joint forums and working groups. Professor Derek Fraser Chairman IFC Annual Report 2006 05 XECUTIVE E SUMMARY CHAPTER GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE CHAPTER COMMUNITY 2006 was a year that saw football come under the The IFC has again witnessed some magnificent 1 spotlight in terms of how it is run. There was the 3 community work going on within football. All of the Independent European Sports Review and The Future of authorities are working hard in this area; examples are given. Professional Football in Europe. Both of these reports saw There is also a look at the splendid work of Football in the considerable involvement from the European Commission. The Community, plus a question about the organisation’s future. latter did not receive great coverage, but the former, despite Although not directly part of its remit, the IFC is also pleased being instigated while the UK held Presidency of EU, received to look at the work of the PFA who, via the footballers, has a a mixed welcome from the English football authorities. The big impact on community activity at clubs. IFC looks at these reports and gauges the reaction. There was also the FA’s response to the Structural Review of the FA by Lord Burns. The work of the Financial Advisory Committee is CHAPTER CHILD PROTECTION reviewed, as is the Quest Report by Lord Stevens who looked into alleged financial irregularities. The IFC produced a groundbreaking document in 4 2005 which is used by the authorities as a benchmark for Child Protection policies. This year’s IFC Annual CHAPTER DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES Report looks at the latest developments at all levels of football in England regarding this sensitive topic. One of the biggest 2 This chapter looks closely at one of the key steps forward has been the formation of the Child Protection recommendations from last year’s IFC Annual Report Unit; the IFC looks at its work as well as studying the various which stated that the authorities were not working in tandem new guidelines that have been produced. in this area. Their response was the formation of the All Agency Review Team (AART). This features the FA, Premier League and Football League, plus the Professional Footballers Association, CHAPTER CHARTERS Football Foundation and League Managers Association. As this chapter shows, the AART is working well and could become 2006 will go down as the year when the authorities a blueprint for similar forums to look at other areas within 5 refined and evolved their charters and the charters football. of their clubs. Previously, the charters have either missed the point or gone to the other extreme and become too bulky. It There is a look at disabled supporters groups plus a is part of the IFC’s remit to study charters and, far from being recommendation of how the IFC feels the authorities need an onerous task, it is something that reveals a huge amount of assistance in counteracting the tide of pressure groups. good work going on at clubs and a desire to do the very best for the football supporter who, in this instance, is seen as a 06 customer. CHAPTER AGENTS CHAPTER THE COMPLAINTS PROCESS The Quest Report, fronted by Lord Stevens, was One of the main roles of the IFC is to receive issues 6 instigated by the Premier League to look into 8 and complaints, and then, if required, make an allegations of financial irregularities. However, a large part of adjudication. There seems to be a steadily increasing number the report concerns itself with the activities of agents. 2006 of these coming into the IFC offices. Last year saw 20 issues also saw a steady trickle of media stories and revelations about arrive; 3 have transferred into complaints, although only one is alleged deals involving club managers and agents. The IFC spoke featured here because it was resolved in 2006.