The Football Association (FA) Council has approved a proposal that will see two independent board members appointed to the governing body of football in England, reports Sport Business. According to the Press Association, FA chairman David Bernstein won the backing of the FA Council on Tuesday. The FA board had already voted to support the proposal and the final decision will be taken at an extraordinary general meeting of around 1,000 FA shareholders at the end of August.
"I am very pleased with this decision by the board and council. It represents an important step in developing stronger governance within the FA," said Bernstein.
Lord Burns recommended the appointments of independent directors to the FA in his review of the Association back in 2005.
However, the independent board members are likely to be in addition to the current directors, rather than replacing two incumbents, as suggested by Burns.
In February, Bernstein stated in a letter to FA councillors: "I am very aware that this issue has been discussed extensively in the past. I recognise that, for some, this may be a controversial proposal. That is why I am keen to engage with council members in the coming weeks to discuss the merits of the proposal."
