THE FUTURE OF THE GAME
David Davies calls for drastic reforms in the game
The former executive director of the FA, David Davies, has called for drastic reforms of the FA Cup, points for goals, and that spectators are given a price charter, as ESPN Soccernet reveals how the Premier League plan to debate "The Future of The Game" at Thursday's shareholders meeting.
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David Davies: Former FA chief.
• Premier League set for overhaul
Davies is now chairman of the Independent Advisory Commission to Review Free-to-Air/listed events and will deliver his report to the Government this week.
Davies told ESPN Soccernet: "I would like to see a complete review of ticket prices at football, personally I like the concept of putting up prices at the top end, and lowering prices at the bottom end of the scale.
''Also, I would like a selected percentage of tickets sold on the day of matches to proven children, by that I mean, under 11's, at concessionary prices but sold only when they are accompanied by at least one carer."
On the subject of points for goals, he says: "I would like an additional point for the third goal. I don't see much difference if that third goal is for the home or away team, as statistics show that there are just as many away wins these days as home wins, so no real need to encourage away teams to attack. I would always encourage goals, that's what the fans pay to see, and I would put that right up there with any changes I would like to bring in."
As for the FA Cup, he says: "I would like to see reform of the FA Cup to help restore it to its rightful place as the premier cup competition in the world. I would like the FA Cup winners to have the fourth place in the Champions League. I would like the big clubs seeded for the FA Cup third round, so that they are seeded by their position in the table, and they all have to play the smaller clubs on the smaller clubs grounds."
Davies is also a firm advocate of new technology. He argues: "I support it and would like to see it introduced for both goal line decisions and for offsides."
