Hodgson, Ferdinand join FA commission

The Football Association announced on Sunday that England manager Roy Hodgson and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand have joined a commission to investigate the failings of the national team. Their appointments take the number of people on the commission to 10, after FA chairman Greg Dyke unveiled a provisional eight-man line-up earlier in the month. The commission will look at ways to increase the number of English players playing in the Premier League and is expected to present a report by the end of March next year. Mixed-race Ferdinand's appointment comes after FA board member Heather Rabbatts criticised Dyke for originally naming an all-male, all-white commission. "Rio's vast experience as a player developed through West Ham's successful youth system, winning Premier League and European titles with Manchester United and representing England at World Cups means he has a huge amount to offer to the debate," said Dyke. "We have been speaking to Rio and Manchester United for some time about him joining the group -- before we named the other members of the commission. "However, as he is a current Manchester United player, we needed to be sure that Rio had the necessary time to fully participate on the commission and not impact on his day job. It has been agreed he does." The FA waited until the end of England's successful World Cup qualifying campaign before confirming Hodgson's place on the commission. "It is important Roy can offer his views as the current manager of the national team and share the knowledge he has gained when working for many years in a number of countries," Dyke said. "I wanted the international fixtures to be completed before announcing this to avoid any distractions for Roy at such an important time." The other members of the commission are former England manager Glenn Hoddle, Football League chairman Greg Clarke, FA vice-chairman Roger Burden, League Managers Association chairman Howard Wilkinson, Professional Footballers' Association chairman Ritchie Humphreys, Crewe Alexandra director of football Dario Gradi and former Leeds United defender Danny Mills. Hoddle welcomed the appointments of Hodgson and Ferdinand, telling Sky Sports, for whom he was working as a pundit on Sunday, that their experience would be "invaluable". However, Rabbatts reacted by saying that the "issue of real diversity" was "still not fully resolved". Source: AFP