Written evidence submitted by the Football
Association
I refer to your letter dated 3 May 2011 in relation
to Sir Dave Richards and a possible conflict of interest involving
Glue Creative Production Solutions Limited ("Glue").
We are aware of the article that appeared in the
Yorkshire Post on 21 April 2011 under the heading "Exclusive:
Premier League boss's son won a series of football deals"
which references amongst other things that Glue "secured
deals" with "the Football Association's (FA) 2018 World
Cup bid".
The World Cup Bid was operated through a separate
subsidiary company—England 2018/2022 Limited ("England
2018"). Sir Dave was involved with England 2018 for a period
of time but was not formally registered as a director of that
company. Any conflict would have been declared to the subsidiary
company, however, because this was a lower value contract for
supply it was not a matter that received the England 2018 Board's
attention and there is therefore no formal declaration of interest
recorded at an England 2018 Board Meeting. Instead the matter
was dealt with at a staff level principally through David Magliano
who at the relevant time was the Director of Commercial and Marketing.
England 2018 wished to obtain some promotional materials for the
launch event in May 2009 and for other subsequent use and Glue
provided some promotional materials/giveaways such as scarves,
badges etc. Glue were appointed following a review procedure carried
out by England 2018's event production agency Unspun and Glue
were one of a number of suppliers used to provide promotional
materials based on quality, price and ability to meet the relevant
production timescale.
As you will be aware England 2018 no longer exists
but The FA's Company Secretary Alistair Maclean has been in direct
contact with Simon Johnson, the ex COO of England 2018, David
Magliano and Unspun. These people have confirmed that there was
no undue influence placed by Sir Dave on using Glue and the appointment
was made at the staff level with the relevant people being aware
that Sir Dave's son was involved in Glue Productions. Furthermore,
as set out above Glue were one of a number of companies used for
the supply of promotional materials.
The FA has also used Glue from time to time to provide
low value gifts. They are one of a number of suppliers and similar
to the position with 2018, the use of a supplier at this level
has never been an issue that has warranted The FA Board's attention
and the matter has therefore not been declared at Board level.
Senior Executives within the Group were aware of the relationship
between Sir Dave and Glue and those Executives are satisfied that
no undue influence has been placed on any members of staff to
utilise Glue.
In relation to your wider request about conflicts
of interest with The FA, our constitution contains provisions
relating to conflicts of interest which allow for conflicts of
interest to be declared to The FA Board and there is a Directors
Code of Conduct which specifically looks at conflicts at the Board
level. The directors have also been given information about the
provisions of the Companies Act.
I cannot comment on the conflicts of interest position
within the Premier League.
I hope that this covers the points raised in your
letter but if you require any further information please do not
hesitate to contact me.
May 2011
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