FA create Independent Football Ombudsman

An Independent Football Ombudsman (IFO) is to be created in time for this coming season, replacing the existing Independent Football Commission (IFC).

The IFO will have a clear remit to receive and adjudicate on complaints from football supporters and participants which have not been resolved by the football authorities, and to raise any policy issues which have been highlighted by those complaints, directly with The FA, Premier League and The Football League.

Recently, say the FA, the football authorities and clubs have become much more effective in the way that they deal with their supporters, have adopted customer charters and improved their formal complaints procedures.

Current IFC Chair Professor Derek Fraser and IFC Commissioner Alan Watson will take on the role of IFO and Deputy IFO respectively, to provide continuity.

The creation of an Ombudsman would maintain a position as the independent and final arbiter of football complaints. The football authorities continue to be committed to the highest standards of self-regulation that have seen only 26 complaints referred to the IFC since 2001.

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