Maheta Molango will become the first new chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association in 40 years if his appointment is ratified by the union’s membership on April 12.
Here, the PA news agency identifies some of the key challenges facing the union’s new figurehead.
Publish or be damned?
The PFA membership will elect the new Players’ Board. If you’re on the ballot, you can submit an election address outlining why you should get a place on the board, which we’ll send to eligible voting members with their ballot forms. Find out more: https://t.co/4CkWgSVmrcpic.twitter.com/KErKoQBk1G— Professional Footballers' Association (@PFA) March 10, 2021
The PFA is under pressure to publish in full the independent review which concluded last summer and led to a number of reforms of the union and its charity arm.
Will Molango, in conjunction with the newly elected players’ board, decide that transparency is the best approach?
Charity Commission inquiry
The Commission launched a statutory inquiry into the activity of the PFA Charity in January last year over “serious concerns” over how it was being run. Molango would have to deal with any fallout arising from that investigation.
Salary caps
The PFA was successful in forcing the EFL to withdraw its salary cap for clubs in Leagues One and Two. Outgoing chief executive Gordon Taylor said in February that it was “in the best interest of the leagues, the clubs, and the players to work together and agree on rules that promote financial stability”.
Molango would need to help put some flesh on the bones of the plan.
Football and dementia link
Taylor was criticised for not acting quickly enough on this issue – his successor must now ensure momentum on this area is maintained. At least two legal actions on behalf of the families of footballers living with dementia are being prepared and the issue is not going to go away.
