The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) is preparing itself for more scrutiny over structure and operations under chief executive Gordon Taylor.
An independent QC is to conduct a "full and open review" of the union, which Taylor has run since 1981.
By far the highest paid union official in Britain, the 73-year-old Taylor has been under intense scrutiny ever since it emerged that PFA chairman Ben Purkiss had been lobbying members about a complete overhaul.
I'm disgusted that some of our ex players bury their heads in the sand and stand by their union leader when he CHOSE not to tell anyone the dementia testing had stopped... our ex players and their families are dying and suffering... Gordon Taylor could have done so much more... https://t.co/koPav6M1YC — Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) November 21, 2018
The union's management said it would work closely with its trustees and management committee, which is made up of 18 player representatives, to finalise the scope and timeline of the review.
On Wednesday evening, reports emerged the Charity Commission was set to be "engaging with the trustees to establish the facts" over any concerns regarding the expenditure of the PFA charity, which helps support past and present players.
Over 200 members or former members of the PFA have backed the call of Purkiss for change.
This is not the basis of an independent review. Questions to be answered already about this statement. Nowhere near sufficient in my eyes! — Robbie Savage (@RobbieSavage8) November 21, 2018
High-profile ex-players like Chris Sutton and Robbie Savage added their support to the movement.
However, others such as Jon Walters, who currently plays as a striker for Ipswich and serves on the PFA's management committee, have launched a staunch defence of Taylor, accusing his detractors of succumbing to "mob rule".
While Taylor – paid £2.3million last year – had himself had hit back by calling into question Purkiss's right to membership of the union, as he is currently with Walsall but on non-contract terms, Wednesday's announcement of a review represents an admission that the PFA cannot ignore the calls for change.
An open letter to PFA members from Gordon Taylor... Read here: https://t.co/I4GUlUtjDj — PFA (@PFA) November 21, 2018
In a statement published on its website, the PFA said: "Over the last few days, we have heard the criticisms levelled at the leadership of the PFA. While we would always defend our record in supporting professional footballers – including on mental health, diversity and player welfare – we accept there are areas we can improve.
"We owe it to our members and to football to hold ourselves to the highest possible standards. We believe we do. However, criticism must not be swept under the carpet.
"We will therefore be recommending to the Board of Trustees and Management Committee that an independent QC conducts a full and open review into the structure and operation of the PFA as the trade union for professional footballers in England and Wales."
I have a duty to act in the best interests of the PFA. Sometimes you have to make a stand for what is right. Football is rapidly evolving, players are rapidly evolving and the PFA needs to evolve too. Players past, present and future need a PFA for the modern player. — Ben Purkiss (@bpurkiss23) November 15, 2018
Purkiss has declined to comment since his call for a review was first reported and he has not responded to the PFA's claim that he is no longer eligible to be chairman as he is not a paid professional.
But Press Association Sport understands that support for the 34-year-old's attempts to modernise the union are growing among current and former professionals.
The PFA are recommending an independent, full and open review into the structure and operation of union. Read the full statement here: https://t.co/kXTboaa3Kt — PFA (@PFA) November 21, 2018
Among the issues they have raised are what they believe has been a lack of support for players in financial difficulties or those struggling with mental health issues.
Another line of attack has been the PFA's slow response to football's dementia crisis, with campaigners such as Jeff Astle's daughter Dawn telling PA Sport that she "begs" players to replace Taylor and focus the union's significant resources on areas such as research and support.
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