Rio Ferdinand has emerged as a surprise possible choice to be the
Football Association’s candidate for Britain’s Fifa vice-presidential
position.
The FA is drawing up a list of contenders after FA vice-chairman David Gill, the Manchester United director, ruled himself out. Ferdinand is one of several names under consideration, according to an FA source, despite the former England defender playing for Queens Park Rangers.
Other former players who are being considered by the FA are Graeme Le Saux, Paul Elliott and David James.
The governing body is keen to harness the pulling power of a high-profile former player, but if Ferdinand, the former England and Manchester United defender, is to show any interest in the role he would have to be sure he could fit the duties around his playing schedule.
Whoever is chosen, they will have to stand for election next March against opponents being put forward by Scotland and Wales – probably the Scotland Football Association president, Campbell Ogilivie, and the Welsh Football Association president, Trefor Lloyd Hughes. Uefa member countries will then vote for the person to succeed Northern Ireland’s Jim Boyce, who is stepping down in June.
Le Saux, the former Chelsea and England full-back, already has an FA role sitting on its inclusion advisory board, as does Elliott, another former Chelsea defender. Both also have existing links with Uefa.
James, a former Liverpool and England goalkeeper, is the player-manager of the Kerala Blasters side in the Indian Premier League and has been a regular pundit on television.
Boyce has stated he has no plans to run for the post again, while the Welsh FA believes it is its turn to fill the position, never having held the role since it was established nearly 70 years ago.
The Welsh had been under the impression that there was a gentleman’s agreement to let them have the post for the next four years, but FA insiders say any rotation deal was scrapped when Fifa reforms meant the vice-presidency had to be voted on by all Uefa member nations rather than just the four home associations.
Sources:theguardian
The FA is drawing up a list of contenders after FA vice-chairman David Gill, the Manchester United director, ruled himself out. Ferdinand is one of several names under consideration, according to an FA source, despite the former England defender playing for Queens Park Rangers.
Other former players who are being considered by the FA are Graeme Le Saux, Paul Elliott and David James.
The governing body is keen to harness the pulling power of a high-profile former player, but if Ferdinand, the former England and Manchester United defender, is to show any interest in the role he would have to be sure he could fit the duties around his playing schedule.
Whoever is chosen, they will have to stand for election next March against opponents being put forward by Scotland and Wales – probably the Scotland Football Association president, Campbell Ogilivie, and the Welsh Football Association president, Trefor Lloyd Hughes. Uefa member countries will then vote for the person to succeed Northern Ireland’s Jim Boyce, who is stepping down in June.
Le Saux, the former Chelsea and England full-back, already has an FA role sitting on its inclusion advisory board, as does Elliott, another former Chelsea defender. Both also have existing links with Uefa.
James, a former Liverpool and England goalkeeper, is the player-manager of the Kerala Blasters side in the Indian Premier League and has been a regular pundit on television.
Boyce has stated he has no plans to run for the post again, while the Welsh FA believes it is its turn to fill the position, never having held the role since it was established nearly 70 years ago.
The Welsh had been under the impression that there was a gentleman’s agreement to let them have the post for the next four years, but FA insiders say any rotation deal was scrapped when Fifa reforms meant the vice-presidency had to be voted on by all Uefa member nations rather than just the four home associations.
Sources:theguardian
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