Clubs don't want B league

06 June 2014 16:47

Football League clubs have "no appetite" for Greg Dyke's plan for a 'B league' following a presentation by the Football Association chairman.

Dyke's proposal is aimed at giving young players more experience of first-team football as part of his drive to improve the England team.

The FA chairman made his presentation at the 72 clubs' summer meeting in Portugal, but Football League's chief executive Shaun Harvey said the sides did not back the idea.

There was, however, support in principle for artificial pitches being permitted in League One and Two.

Harvey said: "Greg Dyke provided a detailed and thought provoking presentation that helped clubs get a better understanding of the thinking behind his recent report.

"Whilst it's fair to say there is no appetite amongst clubs for the use of B teams or strategic loan partnerships in the football pyramid, they did share his overriding concern about the development of young English footballers and supported a number of the report's other recommendations.

"We will continue to work with the FA to help find solutions that will be supported across the whole game."

Championship clubs did not support the use of artificial pitches in their division but would not object to their use in lower leagues or cup competitions, said a statement.

The clubs also voted to extend ownership regulations applying to club takeovers in the Championship to those in Leagues One and Two, including prospective owners providing 'Future Financial Information' demonstrating the club's ability to trade and evidence of the source and sufficiency of funding.

The board of the Football League also backed Dyke's call for the 2022 World Cup vote to be re-run if corruption is proved.

Football League chairman Greg Clarke said: "The board offered its support to the views expressed by the FA Chairman on the matter, namely that the process should be re-run if the allegations are ultimately proven to be true.

"In our view, it is essential that FIFA - as the ultimate guardian of the world game - complies with the very highest standards of corporate governance, otherwise it will lose the confidence of national associations, leagues and football fans across the world."

Source: PA