Halfon's FA rant
By Tony Grew - 29th June 2010
New Tory MP Robert Halfon has had no trouble working out the multiple uses of the early day motion.
He has tabled what can only be described as a howl of rage after England's ignominious defeat at the hands of Germany in the World Cup.
Halfon is particularly vexed not just at current manager Fabio Capello but his two predecessors. However, his immediate target for decapitation is the FA board.
"That this House calls for the Football Association (FA) board to resign now; recognises that England has some brilliant players, but notes that Sven-Göran Eriksson, Steve McClaren and Fabio Capello have all produced nothing but failure; notes that all have been given hugely expensive contracts with little result; further notes that, amazingly, Capello's contract was renewed just a few weeks ago, meaning that the FA will have to shell out even more cash if, as expected, he is sacked; believes that there is no reason for the England football team to fail in this way; therefore concludes that for years England has punched well below its weight, because of the ineffective management of the Football Association; and calls for a footballing revolution at FA HQ, with the fans having much more input into decision-making."
So far just one other MP has put his name to Halfon's bad-tempered EDM.
Keeping with the football theme, three members have signed this early day motion tabled by another new boy, Lib Dem Simon Wright.
"That this House notes that the use of technology has improved confidence in the results of many high-profile sporting events; considers that goal-line technology would not necessarily be detrimental to the fluidity of football matches, but would considerably enhance fairness in the game; and calls on FIFA to reconsider the use of goal-line technology."
And Roger Godsiff, backed by two other MPs, wants the big clubs to be taxed to build up grassroots football.
His EDM calls for "a windfall tax on television monies coming into football similar to the windfall tax that was levied on the privatised utilities after 1997; and further believes that the proceeds of such a tax should be ring-fenced, administered by the Football Foundation and used to support the development of grass roots football in the UK and the retention and improvement of existing football pitches and changing facilities owned by sports clubs and local authorities which are going to be under even more threat by the squeeze on public expenditure."
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