This article is about the Football Association of England. For football associations in general, seefootball association. For more detail on the sport, seeassociation football.
The FA facilitates all competitive football matches within its remit at national level, and indirectly at local level through thecounty football associations. It runs numerous competitions, the most famous of which is theFA Cup. It is also responsible for appointing the management of themen's,women's, andyouth national football teams.
All of England's professional football teams are members of the Football Association. Although it does not run the day-to-day operations of thePremier League, it has veto power over the appointment of the league chairman and chief executive and over any changes to league rules.[2] TheEnglish Football League, made up of the three fully professional divisions below the Premier League, is self-governing, subject to the FA's sanctions.
Plaque commemorating the formation of the Football Association in 1863 at theFreemasons' Tavern, London
It was in England where the first official Association with clear rules was formed.[3] For centuries before the first meeting of the Football Association in theFreemasons' Tavern onGreat Queen Street, London on 26 October 1863, there were no universally accepted rules for playing football.[4][5] In 1862,Ebenezer Cobb Morley, as captain ofBarnes, wrote toBell's Life newspaper proposing a governing body for the sport "with the object of establishing a definite code of rules for the regulation of the game"; the letter led to the first meeting at The Freemasons' Tavern that created the FA in 1863. Morley was a founding member.[5] Six meetings near London's Covent Garden, at 81–82Long Acre,[6] ended in a split between the Association football andRugby football.[7] Both of them had their own uniforms, rituals, gestures and highly formalised rules.[8]
Inpublic school games, the rules were formalised according to local conditions; but when the schoolboys reached university, chaos ensued when the players used different rules, so members of theUniversity of Cambridge devised and published a set ofCambridge Rules in 1848 which was widely adopted.[4] Another set of rules, theSheffield Rules, was used by a number of clubs in the North of England from the 1850s.[9]
Eleven London football clubs and schools' representatives met on 26 October 1863 to agree on common rules.[4][5] The founding clubs present at the first meeting were:
Charterhouse sent their captain,B.F. Hartshorne, but declined the offer to join.[12] Many of these clubs are now defunct or still playrugby. Civil Service FC, who now plays in theSouthern Amateur League, is the only one of the original eleven football clubs still in existence, with an unbroken history, and playingassociation football,[5] althoughForest School has been a member since the fifth meeting in December 1863. Both Barnes and Wanderers have been re-established as football clubs in the modern era.
Ebenezer Cobb Morley was the FA's first secretary (1863–66) and its second president (1867–74) and drafted theLaws of the Game generally called the "London Rules" at his home inBarnes, London.[5] He played in the first-ever match in 1863.
Photo of an early handwritten draft of the 'Laws of the game' for association Football drafted for and behalf of the Football Association by Ebenezer Cobb Morley in 1863 on display at theNational Football Museum, Manchester
The first version of the rules for the modern game was drawn up over a series of six meetings held in The Freemasons' Tavern from October till December.[5] Of the clubs at the first meeting, Crusaders, Surbiton and Charterhouse did not attend the subsequent meetings, replaced instead by the Royal Navy School, Wimbledon School andForest School.[13]
At the final meeting,[when?]F. M. Campbell, the first FA treasurer and the Blackheath representative, withdrew his club from the FA over the removal of two draft rules at the previous meeting, the first which allowed for the running with the ball in hand and the second, obstructing such a run byhacking (kicking an opponent in the shins), tripping and holding. OtherEnglish rugby clubs followed this lead and did not join the FA but instead in 1871 formed theRugby Football Union.[4] The term "soccer" dates back to this split to refer to football played under the "association" rules. After six clubs had withdrawn as they supported the opposing Rugby Rules, the Football Association had just nine members in January 1864: Barnes, Kilburn, Crystal Palace, War Office (Civil Service), Forest Club, Forest School, Sheffield, Uppingham and Royal Engineers (Chatham).[14]
An inaugural game using the new FA rules was initially scheduled forBattersea Park on 2 January 1864, but enthusiastic members of the FA could not wait for the new year: thefirst game under F. A. rules was played at Mortlake on 19 December 1863 between Morley's Barnes team and their neighboursRichmond (who were not members of the FA), ending in a goalless draw. The Richmond side were obviously unimpressed by the new rules in practice because they subsequently helped form theRugby Football Union in 1871. The Battersea Park game was the first exhibition game using FA rules, and was played there on Saturday 9 January 1864.[15] The members of the opposing teams for this game were chosen by the President of the FA (A. Pember) and the Secretary (E. C. Morley) and included many well-known footballers of the day.[16] After the first match according to the new FA rules a toast was given "Success to football, irrespective of class or creed".[17]
Another notable match wasLondon v Sheffield, in which a representative team from the FA playedSheffield FC under Association rules in March 1866;Charles Alcock described this game as "first [match] of any importance under the auspices of the Football Association".[18] Alcock (ofHarrow School) of the Wanderers was elected to the committee of the FA in 1866, becoming its first full-time secretary and treasurer in 1870. He masterminded the creation of theFootball Association Cup[19]—the longest-running association football competition in the world—in 1871. Fifteen participating clubs subscribed to purchase a trophy. The first Cup Final was held atThe Oval on 16 March 1872, fought between the Wanderers and theRoyal Engineers (RE), watched by 2,000 spectators.[5] In 1874Francis Marindin became the third president of the Football Association.
As football grew in popularity, it also began to take root in youth communities. In 1875, a Hanover Institute team (founded byQuintin Hogg, supported by fellowOld EtonianArthur Kinnaird) was involved in an early attempt to incorporate football into the regular activities of a youth club, organising a match with boys from St Andrew's Home inSoho.[20]
After many years of wrangling between the London-based Football Association and theSheffield Football Association, the FA Cup brought the acceptance that one undisputed set of laws was required. The two associations had played 16 inter-association matches under differing rules; the Sheffield Rules, the London Rules and Mixed Rules. In April 1877, those laws were set with a number of Sheffield Rules being incorporated. In 1890, Kinnaird replaced Major Francis Marindin, becoming the fourth president of the Football Association. Kinnaird had at that time been a FA committeeman since the age of 21, in 1868. Kinnaird remained president for the next 33 years, until his death in 1923.
The FA Cup was initially contested by mostly southern, amateur teams, but more professionally organised northern clubs began to dominate the competition during the early 1880s; "The turning point, north replacing south, working class defeating upper and professionals impinging upon the amateurs' territory, came in 1883."[21] Hitherto,public school sides had played a dribbling game punctuated by violent tackles, but a new passing style developed in Scotland was successfully adopted by some Lancashire teams, along with a more organised approach to training.Blackburn Olympic reached the final in March 1883 and defeatedOld Etonians.[22] Near-neighboursBlackburn Rovers started to pay players, and the following season won the first of three consecutive FA Cups.[22][21] The FA initially tried to outlaw professionalism but, in the face of a threatened breakaway body (theBritish Football Association), by 1885 was forced to permit payments to players.[23] Three years later, in 1888, the firstFootball League was established, formed by six professional clubs from northwest England and six from the midlands.[21]
In 1992, the Football Association took control of the newly createdPremier League which consisted of 22 clubs who had broken away from theFirst Division of the Football League. The Premier League reduced to 20 clubs in 1995 and is one of the richest football leagues in the world.[24]
The Football Association has updated their logo several times. They celebrated their 150th year with a special 2013–2014 season logo. The shield design (taken from thecoat of arms of the Football Association) is the same, but the three lions, rosettes and border are in gold instead of black and red, with the usual white background. The title strip above reads "The FA" in white on gold, and there is a scroll below reading "150 years" in white on gold, between "1863" and "2013".[25][26]
By 1921 women's football had become increasingly popular through the charitable games played by women's teams during and after theFirst World War. In a move that was widely seen as caused by jealousy of the crowds' interest in women's games which frequently exceeded that of the top men's teams, in 1921 the Football Association banned all women's teams from playing on grounds affiliated to the FA because they thought football damaged women's bodies.[27][28] For several decades, this meant that women's football virtually ceased to exist.
The decision to exclude women was only reversed from 1969 when, after the increased interest in football caused by England's1966 World Cup triumph, the Women's Football Association was founded,[29] although it would take a further two years – and an order from UEFA – to force the (men's) Football Association to remove its restrictions on the playing rights of women's teams.[30] It was not until 1983 that the WFA was able to affiliate to the FA as a "County Association" and only in 1993 did the FA found the "Women's Football Committee" to run women's football in England.[31] The "Women's Football Conference", as it is now known, has representation on theFA Council equivalent to aCounty Football Association.[32]
In December 2016, five former FA executives –David Bernstein,David Davies,Greg Dyke, Alex Horne andDavid Triesman – called on Parliament'sCulture, Media and Sport Committee to propose legislation to reform the FA, saying it was outdated, held back by "elderly white men", and unable to counter the power of the Premier League or "to reform and modernise in a fast-changing world".[33]
In April 2017, it was announced that some reforms, including reducing the size of the FA's board and increasing the number of women, would be submitted for approval to the FA's annual general meeting on 18 May. However, the proposed changes were criticised by some for not going far enough, particularly to improve minority representation.[34] The proposals were approved at the AGM and include:[35]
Establishing three positions on the FA board for female members by 2018
Reducing the size of the board to 10 members
Adding 11 new members to the FA Council to "better reflects the inclusive and diverse nature of English football"
Limiting board membership to three terms of three years
Introducing term limits for FA Council members
However, pressure for FA reform continued fuelled by allegations of racism and bullying in relation to theMark Sampson andEniola Aluko cases, and the historical sexual abuse scandal.[36] In October 2017, FA chairmanGreg Clarke announced a "fundamental" review of the FA after admitting it had "lost the trust of the public" following the Sampson controversy.[37] In the same month, Clarke was criticised by sexual abuse victimAndy Woodward and theProfessional Footballers' Association's chief executiveGordon Taylor for remarks Clarke made to a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee (DCMS) hearing.[38][39][40]
In November 2020, Clarke resigned as FA chairman over his use of the term "coloured" when referring to black players in comments to the DCMS committee via video link.[41] The FA subsequently announced they would seek a new chairman, with hopes there would be an announcement as to the successor by March 2021.[42]
In mid-November 2016, allegations of widespread historical sexual abuse at football clubs dating back to the 1970s began to emerge. On 21 November, the Football Association said it would set up a helpline;[43] this was established with theNSPCC and opened on 24 November,[44] reportedly receiving over 50 calls within the first two hours,[45] over 100 by 27 November,[46] and 860 ("more than three times as many referrals as in the first three days of theJimmy Savile scandal") by 1 December[47] with 350 individuals alleging abuse.[48] The FA and NSPCC also collaborated to produce a film about how to keep children safe in the sport, featuring the captains of England's men's, women's and cerebral palsy football teams (Wayne Rooney,Steph Houghton and Jack Rutter).[49]
On 27 November, the FA announced it was to set up an internal review, led by independent counsel Kate Gallafent, into whatCrewe andManchester City knew about convicted child sex offender Barry Bennell and allegations of child sexual abuse in football, and investigate what information it was aware of at the time of the alleged offences.[50]
The FA was criticised by Conservative MPDamian Collins, chairman of the House of Commons'Culture, Media and Sport Committee, for being too slow in reacting and not instigating a wider review.[51] Former sport ministerGerry Sutcliffe talked of previous concern about how the FA dealt with governance of the sport and with youth development (in the 1990s, the FA was said to have reacted "dismissively" to worries about sexual abuse in the game, and too slow to implement criminal record checks;[52] in 2003, the FA had scrapped a project meant to ensure children were being protected from sexual abuse;[53] and FA officials had been uncooperative with the review project, with ten of 14 FA staff not replying to interview requests and a report by the researchers of others being "prevented/bullied" from talking).[54] Sutcliffe said an independent body, such as theDepartment for Culture, Media and Sport should look at the issue rather than the FA investigating itself: "What I've seen in football over the years is that they're very narrow, very insular, and may not do a proper job even though with the right intentions."[55]
On 6 December 2016, the FA announced that, due to "the increased scope of the review since it was announced"[56] and Gallafent's other professional commitments, the review would be conducted byClive Sheldon QC.[57] On 11 January 2017, the Sheldon review had made its first call for evidence, writing to all football clubs in England and Wales, amateur and professional, asking for information by 15 March about allegations of child sexual abuse between 1970 and 2005.[58] In March 2018, it was reported that the scale of evidence provided, plus the "chaotic nature of the archiving", had delayed the inquiry team's sift through the FA's legal files; around 500,000 pages of material from 6,000 files were uploaded to a digital platform, and 353 documents were identified as highly relevant. Sheldon expected to start writing his final report in August 2018.[59]
In July 2018, it was reported that the FA's independent inquiry had found no evidence of an institutional cover-up or of a paedophile ring operating within football. Sheldon's report, likely to be highly critical of several clubs, was initially expected to be delivered to the FA in September 2018,[60] but its publication was delayed, potentially by up to a year, pending the retrial of Bob Higgins and possible further charges against Barry Bennell.[61]
The 700-page report was eventually published on 17 March 2021. It identified failures to act adequately on complaints or rumours of sexual abuse at eight professional clubs:Aston Villa,Chelsea,Crewe Alexandra,Manchester City,Newcastle United,Peterborough,Southampton andStoke City.[62] The report also made 13 recommendations for further improvements, including clubs employing qualified safeguarding officers, an FA board member to be the designated "children's safeguarding champion", spot checks of amateur clubs, a "national day of safeguarding in football" and an annual safeguarding report. However, the measures were criticised for being too late and lacking ambition. The FA issued a "heartfelt apology" to survivors and said it would be implementing all of Sheldon's recommendations.[62]
The Guernsey Football Association, Isle of Man Football Association and Jersey Football Association have been affiliated with the FA since 1903, 1908 and 1905 respectively.[65][66][67]
A loophole was closed in May 2008 by FIFA which allowed players born in the Channel Islands to choose which home nation within the United Kingdom they will represent at international level.[citation needed] During the 1990s,Trevor Wood (Jersey) andChris Tardif (Guernsey) represented Northern Ireland.
The British overseas territory ofGibraltar'sGibraltar Football Association was affiliated to the FA from 1911 until it opted to become a fully recognised member ofUEFA, a feat achieved after a 14-year legal battle.[when?] Joseph Nunez, the Gibraltar FA President claimed they were "unilaterally thrown out" of the FA following an intervention fromGeoff Thompson.[65]
On the other hand, theHong Kong Football Association (HKFA), established in 1914, is one of the oldest football associations in Asia. They joined FIFA in 1954, and were also one of twelve founding members of theAsian Football Confederation (AFC). HK played an important role in the early development of Asian football and hosted the first Asian Cup competition in1956. The dependent territory was relinquished by the UK in 1997 and handed over to thePeople's Republic of China.
Although the British overseas territories are too small to support professional teams,[citation needed] they have produced players such asClyde Best who have gone on to play professionally in the Football Association, and referees such asCarlyle Crockwell, who have refereed FIFA matches.
The Football Association first joined FIFA in 1905. TheBritish Associations (England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales) opted to leave FIFA afterWorld War I when FIFA chose not to exclude those who were part of theCentral Powers from the organisation. The British Associations' stance had changed by 1922 and in 1924 they had rejoined FIFA.[b]
TheBritish Olympic Association had fought against 'broken time' – monetary compensation for athletes' earnings when competing in the Olympic games. At the 1925 Olympic Congress in Prague, the British had made an amendment that concluded governing federations should define amateur status for their sports but only in accordance with the definition of amateurism accepted by the Olympic Congress. In 1928, Switzerland proposed to FIFA that in certain circumstances, 'broken time' payments should be allowed and FIFA accepted. The FA resigned from FIFA in protest against the proposal. As a result of the FA's resignation, England did not participate in the1930,1934 or1938 FIFA World Cup.
At the 1930 Olympic Congress in Berlin, Belgian delegates proposed that for each sport the definition of amateur status be left to its international federation. The BOA argued for a common definition of amateurism and argued that 'broken time' payments were against the Olympic ideal.
The FA rejoined FIFA in 1946 and participated in their first World Cup in1950. One of the first actions of the Football Association was to request the expulsion of theGerman andJapanese national football associations for their countries' role inWorld War II. Germany and Japan were prevented from qualifying for the 1950 FIFA World Cup as a consequence. They were re-acquainted with FIFA in 1950 following a second request from Switzerland who had had a previous request rejected in 1948.
The FA's main commercial asset is its ownership of the rights toEngland internationals and theFA Cup. Broadcasting income remains the FA's largest revenue stream with both domestic and international broadcasting rights for England fixtures and the FA Cup tied up until at least 2021.
For the four seasons from 2008 to 2012, the FA secured £425 million fromITV andSetanta for England and FA Cup games domestic television rights, a 42% increase over the previous contract, and £145 million for overseas television rights, up 272% on the £39 million received for the previous four-year period.[69] However, during 2008–09 Setanta UK went into administration, which weakened the FA's cashflow position.
Turnover for the year ending 31 July 2016 was £370 million on which it made a profit after tax of £7 million. It has also made an investment of £125 million back into every level of Football in 2016. In July 2015 the FA announced plans to carry out a significant organisational restructure, in order to deliver considerable cost savings to invest in elite England teams, facilities and grassroots coaching.[70]
The FA's income does not include the turnover of English football clubs, which are independent businesses. As well as running its own operations the FA chooses five charities each year to which it gives financial support.[71][72]
In three years up to 2014, the FA received £350,000 in fines from players over comments made onTwitter. The highest fine imposed was a £90,000 fine toAshley Cole in 2012 after calling the FA "a bunch of twats." The FA became stricter on comments made by players on Twitter, disciplining 121 players in three years.[73]
The FA has a figurehead President, who since 1939 has always been a member of theBritish royal family. The Chairman of the FA has overall responsibility for policy. Traditionally this person rose through the ranks of the FA's committee structure (e.g. by holding posts such as the chairmanship of a county football association). In 2008 politicianDavid Triesman was appointed as the FA's first "independent chairman", the first from outside the football hierarchy. The day-to-day head of the FA was known as the Secretary until 1989, when the job title was changed to Chief Executive.[74][75][76]
^Theodore Bell, formerly captain of football atUppingham School,[10] represented Surbiton at the 'Meeting of the Captains' when the FA was formed;[11] he may also have representedDingley Dell.[11]
^Ireland had since been partitioned. Northern Ireland remained part of the United Kingdom, theIrish Free State was independent of Britain. The latter is now theRepublic of Ireland.
^Known as Charles Clegg until he was knighted in 1927
^Known as Prince William of Wales until 2011 and as the Duke of Cambridge between 2011 and 2022. He became the FA's Patron in 2024.[77]
^Known as Amos Brook Hirst until he was knighted in 1954
^Known as Andrew Stephen until he was knighted in 1972
^Known as Frederick Wall until he was knighted in 1930
^Known as Stanley Rous until he was knighted in 1949
^"The spiritual home of the Football Association".The Freemasons Arms, Covent Garden.Archived from the original on 5 March 2011. Retrieved13 September 2018.It was here that the Football Association met in 1863 to thrash out the laws of a game now played in more than 200 countries across the globe.
^Colls, Robert (2020).This Sporting Life: Sport and Liberty in England, 1760-1960. Oxford University Press. p. 173.ISBN9780192575029.
^abCurry, Graham (2020).The Making of Association Football: Two Decades Which Created the Modern Game. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.ISBN9781527562455.
^Lewis, R.W. "'Touched Pitch and Been Shockingly Defiled': Football, Class, Social Darwinism and Decadence in England, 1880-1914", in Mangan, J.A. (1999)Sport in Europe: Politics, Class, Gender (Frank Cass, London), pp.117-143.
^"Women's Football"(PDF). London: Department for Culture, Media and Sport. 18 July 2006.Archived(PDF) from the original on 17 October 2006. Retrieved10 August 2011.
^"Women and Football".Spartacus Educational.Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved18 October 2014.
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