Independent review into PFA will not be published due to ‘confidentiality’

Geoff Thompson, chair of the Professional Footballers’ Association operational board, has insisted the independent review of the union cannot be published due to confidentiality.

While recommendations of the review, first commissioned in 2018, were published and new rules adopted, it remains unseen by the wider public.

Thompson told a parliamentary select committee on Tuesday: “We had to respect the confidentiality many of those whom participated in the review were given for its assurance.

“It allowed for a frank and honest reflection of the PFA in its previous reform and now the recommendations have been taken on.”

We had to respect the confidentiality many of those whom participated in the review were given for its assurance.- Geoff Thompson, chair of PFA operational board

He continued: “We have discussed it at great length and it has taxed the PFA but, in a recent meeting with a sports minister, we offered to take him through the report. Nothing untoward is in it but we are willing to respect the confidentially of those who are in it.”

DCMS chair Julian Knight asked what guarantees were given to those who took part in the independent review, and pointed out the terms of reference were made by former chief executive Gordon Taylor, who stood down in 2021 after 40 years in the role.

Thompson said: “Guarantees were given to members, members were given the opportunity to review it, recommendations have been publicly shared and disclosed.

“In my mind, having reviewed the report, we have met our responsibilities while acknowledging there is wider public interest who would like to see that report.”

PFA chief executive Maheta Molango stressed the organisation condemns any sort of violence, with Manchester United’s Mason