England bid to move on from Lord Triesman scandal
The FA, in all their wisdom, have done it again. With just weeks to go before another major international tournament, scandal involving a high-profile member has once again rocked English football. Except, this time, it has real potential to leave a catastrophic legacy.
Lord Triesman, the man at the centre of the unfounded bribe allegations, has been dealt with in the only way possible – by being relieved of his duties. However, England supporters are now bracing themselves for the devastating effect that his off-the-cuff comments could have on England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup finals.
Dubbed “incredibly self-centered, and egotistical” by former aide/smiling assassin Melissa Jacobs in her now infamous blog, Triesman was hardly the most popular of figures at the FA in the first place – especially in the eyes of the man who has taken over as head of England’s World Cup bid, Geoff Thompson.
Thompson is, of course, the former chairman of the FA. But more significant than that, he is vice-president of both Uefa and Fifa; and has a healthy relationship with the chief of football’s world governing body, Sepp Blatter.
It’s hoped that because of his close ties with the Fifa president, all is not lost for England and their hopes of hosting football’s most prestigious international tournament. With the votes not cast until December, there’s still time for Thompson to retrieve the nation’s tarnished bid from the gutter.
For once, the FA may have made an appointment which won’t result in a female acquaintance of the man in question disrupting England’s World Cup preparations and then vying for an appearance on an ITV1 reality show. Although, none of us would want to speak too soon after the FA’s recent track record.
Fortunately, it seems that the Spanish – the nation at the centre of the allegations, alongside Russia – haven’t been particularly fazed by Triesman’s unfounded allegations. Like a rambling old madman, they seem to hold the view that the FA have dealt with him in the correct manner, and the issue has now been put to bed.
The hunt is still on for a new chairman at the Football Association after Triesman’s dismissal, though. There’s been debate in recent days over whether someone from the outside should take over at the helm of the controversial organisation. Someone authoritative who refuses to take no for answer, a no-nonsense individual with a revered reputation, experienced in dealing with all areas of business; and someone who won’t bring shame on English football.
Step forward, The Apprentice’s very own, Lord Alan Sugar.
The former Tottenham Hotspur chairman has confirmed his interest in bringing some stability to football in England, and has revealed his intentions to reform the FA as a whole.
In light of this recent scandal, change is essential in showing the rest of the world that not every FA board member is corrupt, grossly misinformed or just downright stupid.
Avid viewers of The Apprentice may have to get used to not seeing the iron-fisted Amstrad founder on their television screens should he become chairman; but if it results in the FA becoming a more stable organisation, with English football left to reap the benefits, then they’ll surely allow him to move on for the greater good.
After all, shouldn’t he have enough apprentices by now, anyway?
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