§ Mr. John CarlisleTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent contact he has had with the Football Association to discuss the financing and other matters affecting the future of football.
§ Mr. AtkinsI wrote to the chief executive of the Football Association on 12 December requesting clarification of the funds likely to be generated by FA driven initiatives following the establishment of the Premier League and its split between the Premier League and Football League clubs for the purposes of implementing the Taylor report. I also raised with the FA a number of other issues which have implications for the running of the Premier League.
§ Mr. John CarlisleTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met representatives of the Football League, the Professional Footballers Association and the Premier League; and what matters were discussed.
§ Mr. AtkinsI met the chief executive of the Football League on 5 December and the chief executive of the Professional Footballers Association on 31 October and at the Pools Promoters Association lunch on 3 December. So far as the Premier League is concerned, I met Mr. Rick Parry on 11 December and Sir John Quinton on 18 December. The Premier League and its implications for football were discussed. In the light of these meetings I wrote to the FA on 12 December to seek clarification of a number of issues.