Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee

CELG(4)-23-13 : Paper 10 : Paper to Note

Email dated 10 July 2013

Dear Christine Chapman AM,

Football Association of Wales and its decision on the future of Barry and Llanelli football clubs

I am writing to you as Chair of the Communities, Equalities and Local Government to ask that your committee carries out a committee enquiry in to the governance of football in Wales, as a follow on from the committee's previous report into the Welsh Premier League in Wales, which touches on FAW governance and its general relationship with Welsh Clubs.

This inquiry would be timely as you will be aware of disquiet within football regarding the governance arrangements and the transparency of the organisation's decision-making process.

This has come to the fore recently following the decision of the FAW to deny Welsh League entry to Llanelli AFC and Barry Town United.

Officers of the Football Association of Wales (FAW) called a Special Meeting of the Council of the FAW, today, Tuesday 9th July 2013 to consider new information in relation to a previous decision of Council, made at their last meeting on the 13th June concerning Barry Town United and Llanelli Football Club.

Of the twenty-nine Council Members present, fifteen voted against and fourteen voted for Standing Orders to be suspended.  The new information could not be heard and the previous decision of Council, relating to the two clubs, as agreed at the meeting of Council on the 13th June 2013, stands.

You will appreciate that as Shadow Sports Minister for Plaid Cymru, I have been contacted by many people who are deeply unhappy that the consideration of new information was voted down at said meeting by the Councillors. Many people have contacted me to say that they believe that the unwieldy structures of the FAW is not workable, and that now is the time for change.

I trust that you will raise this in committee, and that you will have a discussion on the clear merit of such an investigation by the committee in the National Assembly which has responsibility for sport.

I look forward to your response,

Kind Regards,

Bethan Jenkins AM