Outcry as independent league forced out ‘by Football Association’

Outcry as independent league forced out ‘by Football Association’
More than 180 people have signed a petition calling for a football league to be reinstated to the pitch they were using after an ‘outrageous’ decision to remove them.The government is also investigating whether Leisure Leagues, which does not affiliate to the Football Association, has been mistreated by football’s governing body at Charnwood College in Loughborough.Four clubs and twenty-eight players have been forced to pull out of the league since it was told it could no longer book the college’s 3G pitch at 8-9pm on a weekday.Leisure Leagues claim to have ‘the world’s largest 5, 6, and 7-a-side football leagues’3
Leisure Leagues claim to have ‘the world’s largest 5, 6, and 7-a-side football leagues’
Charnwood College explained to Leisure Leagues that at a recent meeting the FA had been ‘particularly concerned about the prime time booking you have on a Tuesday evening…’.Its Football Development Officer went on to apologise and explain that ‘there is nothing we can do’.The incident comes after talkSPORT revealed claims Leisure Leagues is having its business restricted by football’s governing body.An FA spokesperson said: “Non-affiliated providers, such as Leisure Leagues, are welcome at facilities funded by the FA providing there is adequate availability and no community demand at these times.”Leisure Leagues still have a weekend slot at Charnwood College, but claim their removal from prime time slots is evidence of discrimination.Leisure Leagues are no longer able to book their regular 3G pitch3
Leisure Leagues are no longer able to book their regular 3G pitch
James Ockelford runs the league, which now plays seven miles away because no equivalent facilities could be found closer.He told talkSPORT: I’m absolutely gutted and pretty angry as well. As far as I’m aware some teams are stopping playing altogether.It is believed a team of approximately 20 players now occupies the 8-9pm slot.Mr Ockelford’s league has nearly one hundred. He admits it might have to fold if teams continue to withdraw.Tim King captains one of the teams forced to relocate, FC Cione; he describes the league as ‘fantastic’. It’s getting people playing football,” Mr King said, “getting people like me at 53, wanting to play with his son, having a kick around and enjoying it.Commenting on the cancellation of the booking Mr King added: I think it’s outrageous. Absolutely crazy. I think it’s politics.Referee Jack Hamilton said: As we move to a location further afield my travel costs will increase and my match fees will decrease due to less session time and fewer teams.An FA spokesperson added: The FA is passionate about growing the game at grassroots level across the country and we encourage all leagues and teams to be affiliated. Once affiliated, they receive a number of benefits, such as access to FA Qualified and Affiliated Referees.”Leisure Leagues have had to move to a new destination3
Leisure Leagues have had to move to a new destination
Sports Minister Mims Davies has told Leisure Leagues she will raise the issue with FA chief executive Martin Glenn ‘as a priority’ following the latest incident.talkSPORT understands the government is also in contact with the Competitions and Markets Authority.James Ockelford added: “I don’t think this is what the FA should be causing. The FA are here to raise participation within grassroots football not to exclude people.”3G facilities such as Charnwood College’s pitch are built in collaboration with the Football Foundation and the FA in order to provide more opportunities for grassroots sport.The colleges are then required to adhere to ‘development plans’ that determine which leagues and clubs can hire the pitches.

Mousa Dembele has wished Spurs well ahead of the final

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo has warned record buy Adama Traore he must improve as the club closes in on Tammy Abraham.. Forward Traore, who signed for £18million from Middlesbrough, has
Chelsea transfers: Alvaro Morata 'close' to Sevilla move, but
hollywoodadviser.com/chelsea-transfers-alvaro-morata-close-to-sevilla-move-but-deal-will-dent-blues-chances-of-signing-gonzalo-higuain-reports/
ARGY BARGY The Rossonieri will take Morata off Chelsea's hands, but want to give them the Argentine in return Alvaro Morata is close to sealing a return to LaLiga with Sevilla, according to reports. However, Chelsea risk missing out on AC Milan star Gonzalo Higuaín if the move does go through.
~ West Ham United fan throws horse manure at Birmingham City

Ahearne-Grant is seen as then perfect replacement for Morelos
Arsenal transfer round-up: Inter Milan reject Ivan Perisic

Phil Neville joined Drive on Thursday

Everton have given more minutes to teenagers this season than any other team in the Premier League. In total, players yet to reach their 20th birthday have amassed 6,132 minutes in the first 37
Premier League: 13 foreign players from the first season

Stuart Armstrong was a key Celtic performer but was sold to Southampton in 2018

Transfer news: Chelsea, Leicester and Wolves among Premier League clubs eyeing Croatian midfielder Josip Vukovic Chelsea amongst a number of European clubs looking at the Maritimo midfielder EXCLUSIVE
Chelsea, Leicester and Wolves among Premier League clubs

Who will win the Premier League title next season?

Ray Parlour has backed Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse for a place in the next England squad. Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate is reportedly considering the 24-year-old for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Czech Republic and Montenegro later this month.
Southampton starlet James Ward-Prowse can force his way into

The seven-bedroom mansion in Formby has been Klopp’s home for the past four years

Looking back at Lionel Messi's best hat-tricks as Barcelona superstar scores 50th career treble against Sevilla 23 Feb Lionel Messi achieved yet another amazing landmark after netting his 50th career hat-trick as Barcelona claimed a 4-2 LaLiga win over Sevilla.
~ Sofaz Band brings the house down with electro-beat at

Martial looks set to stay at Old Trafford

English Premier League football club Tottenham Hotspur has moved to deny reports that its new ground will be called The Nike Stadium. In a since-deleted video posted on Twitter earlier today (Friday), beIN Sports presenter Richard Keys revealed the supposed name of Spurs' state-of-the-art new stadium, adding that the first game at the venue would
Tottenham Deny New Ground Will Be Called 'The Nike Stadium'

Lo Celso scored 16 goals for Real Betis this season
Sir Kenny Dalglish heaps praise on Andrew Robertson and says

Assombalonga celebrates his winning goal at The Hawthorns

Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey says Virgil van Dijk is the club's first leader since Jamie Carragher. Van Dijk became the world's most expensive defender after joining the Reds in a £75million deal from Southampton in January 2018.
Emile Heskey: Virgil van Dijk is Liverpool's first leader

Aguero is in the running to win another Golden Boot

Inside-forward Aarons had some defending to do in the 52nd minute, intercepting a vicious shot from Braithwaite. Rose beat Vestergaard to the interception, only to awkwardly knock the ball out for a Denmark throw-in. It soon became obvious why, as the Tottenham left-back went down signalling that something was wrong with his knee.
An Impossible Man - Page 5 - FM Stories - Sports Interactive

Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has made three errors leading to goals

Virgil van Dijk has been deemed fit to play as he was named in Liverpool's starting line-up for their Premier League clash against Leicester at Anfield. A win for the Reds will see them extend
Liverpool News - Liverpool team news vs Bayern Munich

Mr Mearns’ team found the wreckage in the above location

Oh, and Paul Lambert's still at Aston Villa, where nobody seems to be enjoying themselves. Robert Snodgrass, Tom Ince, Harry Maguire, Andrew Robertson. West Ham United.
Aston Villa 4-1 Wolves: Three second half goals see Villa go

No comments:

Post a Comment