FA Chairman: Fabio Capello’s Contract Controversy Will Never Happen Again

The Football Association chairman has criticised the decision to remove the break-clause in Fabio Capello’s contract and vowed to not let it happen again.

FA general secretary Alex Horne revealed today to the Department of Culture Media and Sport Committee inquiry The FA board were not referred to when the decision was made.

He says former chairman Lord Triesman instigated the deal negotiation and only a small minority of executives were consulted.

The decision backfired when the governing body wanted to sack Capello after a dire World Cup but could not afford to do so.

Bernstein, who succeeded Triesman last December, promised to ensure the right administration procedures are in place to stop it happening again.

“While I’m chairman, it won’t happen again,” he told the same inquiry. “I would ensure that proper governance is in place for those things.”

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Fabio Capello’s New England Contract Did Not Have The Approval Of FA Board

The changes made to Fabio Capello’s England contract were not referred to the Football Association board according to general secretary Alex Horne. Prior to last summer’s World Cup, a break-clause was removed in the Italian’s four-year deal that would have allowed both sides to separate on a fixed financial settlement.

After England were humiliated and dumped out of the tournament a number of FA board members wanted to sack Capello but The FA were not able to afford the severance pay. Horne, acting chief executive at the time, revealed  only a minority of executives, including FA chairman Lord Triesman, were involved in the process.

He refuses to name who were involved but claims it was the right decision to remove the break in the contract despite the dismal performance at the World Cup. “I’ll hold my hands up on behalf of David Triesman and say, in hindsight, it was a whole board decision and should have gone to the whole board,” he told the Department of Culture Media and Sport Committee

“It did not go to the whole board. I’m not comfortable sitting here naming four or five people. The decision has been reviewed internally and we hold our hands up to a corporate governance mistake. David was the senior member involved as chairman of the association and clearly felt he had the authority to make that commitment. It was only after he left that the board questioned the decision.

“There was a contract through to 2012 for four years,” he added. “Within that contract was a clause allowing either party to terminate for an amount of liquidated damages. “We were coming under a lot of pressure in the run-up to the World Cup for certainty over whether Fabio was staying or not. There was speculation about clubs coming in for Fabio.”

“Having qualified top of the group very comfortably, facing that uncertainty going into the tournament, it was exactly the right thing to do.”

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Fabio pleased with formation

England manager Fabio Capello expressed his delight following the 2-0 victory over Wales as a switch in system paid dividends.

The Three Lions set up with a 4-3-3 formation at the Millennium Stadium, with Scott Parker and Jack Wilshere impressing in midfield alongside Frank Lampard.

Central striker Darren Bent was supported up front by Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney, who stayed wide when England did not have the ball.

Capello admits that he decided on such a strategy after seeing Wales in action against other teams, and was thrilled it proved so effective.

"We played really well, we passed the ball quickly and created chances to score goals with no chances for Wales," he said.

"The goals that we scored were really nice and in every moment we were focused on the game which was important.

"I decided, after watching games Wales have played, I decided for Parker and two midfielders.

"I decided for a new position for Rooney and Ashley Young.

"When we are defending they stay wide, when we have the ball Wayne comes in and it was a problem for Wales.

"This formation is really good because some players like Ashley Young are improving a lot."

The one downside for Capello was a yellow card for Rooney which means he will miss the next qualifier against Switzerland.

"I know, I told him he will miss the next game, it's not good news for us," the Italian added.

Capello also hopes to talk to Rio Ferdinand over the coming days and explain why he was stood down as captain in favour of John Terry.

"Yes, I hope that I will meet him and speak with him about what really happened and my decision," Capello said.

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