Blatter announces €390k grant for English training base

FIFA president Sepp Blatter today announced a $500,000 (€390,000) grant to the new national football centre at St George’s Park – evidence of a thawing in the previously frosty relations with the Football Association.

Blatter announces €390k grant for English training base

FIFA president Sepp Blatter today announced a $500,000 (€390,000) grant to the new national football centre at St George’s Park – evidence of a thawing in the previously frosty relations with the Football Association.

The Goal project funding for the sports science and medical centre was announced by Blatter on a visit to the Football Association’s centre in Burton, Staffordshire.

FA chairman David Bernstein, who in 2011 unsuccessfully called for the unopposed election of Blatter to be postponed to allow for a rival to come forward, said the funding reflected better relations between the two organisations.

There has also been ill feeling in England since the failure of the 2018 World Cup bid which attracted only one FIFA vote apart from the FA’s own one.

Bernstein said in a statement: “This is fantastic news and reflects FIFA’s commitment to raising standards within the game around the world and to our improving relationship with FIFA.”

Blatter added: “Protecting the health of players is one of our key objectives and I am therefore very pleased that this project will be dedicated to a sports science and medical centre at such an emblematic location at St George’s Park.”

The FA also announced today it will fund bursaries for nine promising international coaches to study for the FA International Licence course under a new scheme.

more courts articles

Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman
Coronation Street actor William Roache (91) given three months to settle tax debt Coronation Street actor William Roache (91) given three months to settle tax debt

More in this section

Forest ‘extremely disappointed’ by four-point Premier League deduction Forest ‘extremely disappointed’ by four-point Premier League deduction
Republic of Ireland v New Zealand - International Friendly FAI close in on men’s sponsor with Sky expansion link
Republic of Ireland Training Session O'Shea and Kerr get to work as new Ireland era begins
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited