PFA finally appoints its review service
The Professional Footballers’ Association has appointed Sport Resolutions to conduct an independent review into its structure and operation, three months after chief executive Gordon Taylor made that recommendation.
Telegraph Sport reported last Sunday that the planned review had not yet begun, but the PFA issued a statement on Friday in which it was confirmed it would be using what is a national independent dispute resolution service.
It said that Sport Resolutions was now “in the process of constituting the panel that will conduct the review and will finalise the terms of reference and scope of the review”.
The PFA promised that the review would consider its governance, management, policies, procedures and operations, stressing an aim “of ensuring the PFA operates effectively, in accordance with the highest standards and in the best interests of its members”.
The review will include recommendations on any necessary changes and, while the findings will be submitted to the trustees and management committee of the PFA, it is stated that publication will focus on the “key findings and recommendations … whilst ensuring that any necessary confidentiality is maintained”. The timescale is no more specific than “as soon as reasonably practicable”.
Taylor’s decision to hold a review followed an internal dispute after chairman Ben Purkiss, who has been pushing for the PFA to reform, had his eligibility to continue questioned when he became a non-contract player at Walsall. The subsequent backlash subsided when Taylor agreed to a review.
Separately, the Charity Commission opened a regulatory compliance case into the PFA Charity in November, which is ongoing.
As chief executive of the PFA, Taylor’s total remuneration has been about £2 million in each of the past two accounting years. The vast majority of the PFA’s funding comes from the Premier League’s broadcast income, which was paid as a donation to the PFA Charity accounts, and has totalled just under £52 million over the past two years.
The Charity Commission has said that the public “rightly expect charities to live their values, acting at all times to maximise their positive impact on beneficiaries”.
One area of particular controversy has been the level of care being offered for families of former players suffering from dementia. Although the PFA is now assisting several studies into researching the link between football and dementia, campaigners would like the organisation to use more of its resources to help former players in need.
Benevolent grants to individual players and their families stood at £565,261 in the most recent accounting period until June 2018.
The “cost or valuation” of the PFA’s memorabilia investments had also risen over the year to £9.68 million from £8.82 million.
In announcing his recommendation for a review, Taylor defended the PFA’s work. “The welfare of our members is the beginning and end of our work as we support them in the battles they face during their careers and in the long years after they retire,” Taylor said.
