Lord Burns to head review into the FA

Lord Burns, a former top Treasury official, was today given the job of shaking up the beleaguered Football Association after a year dominated by sex and sleaze.

Burns, who gained a reputation for dealing with complex and politically-sensitive problems when he worked for Chancellor Gordon Brown, will head an independent review of the way the governing body is run.

The investigation was ordered by the Government after the FA's image was hit hard in the last year with the sex scandal involving Sven-Goran Eriksson and former chief executive Mark Palios.

Soho Square officials, who are due to confirm the appointment of the lifelong Queens Park Rangers supporter after a FA board meeting later today, have also been criticised for their approach to racism and agents.

Burns, 60, is used to dealing with high-profile investigations after heading the Government's inquiry into foxhunting. He is well respected by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell after taking on the role of independent advisor in the recent review of the BBC Charter. All sports governing bodies which receive funding from the Lottery and Exchequer are coming under increasing pressure to show they are run properly.

The football review follows a similar investigation into athletics which has already prompted many changes in the sport. There is a belief inside and outside of the FA that the amateur and professional sides of the game should be run seperately.

ITV's head of sport Brian Barwick will take on the chief executive's job at the end of next month.

He will be charged with helping Burns to conduct his investigations and make significant changes.