True cost of the Crozier regime

The much-maligned finances of the Football Association during the reign of Adam Crozier were laid bare today in their annual accounts.

The figures - filed at Companies House - revealed that the organisation avoided the financial meltdown critics of former chief-executive Crozier were predicting. Detractors such as former Chelsea owner Ken Bates accused Crozier of running a profligate regime that threatened the funding of the game's grass roots.

Crozier, now chief executive of the Royal Mail, quit last November with a £750,000 pay-off. In total last year he received £1.16million, including a £408,000 salary, the accounts reveal.

They also show the FA paid out £13.8m in settlement of a legal dispute last year. This is thought to relate to a row with sport rights agency Octagon, which claimed breach of contract, although this is not spelled out.

The company had signed a threeyear deal with the FA in 2001 for exclusive TV rights to England internationals abroad. They sued when the company learned that seven England games were sold to a separate firm, IMG.

The financial numbers show that the Football Association's turnover rose 57 per cent from £117.6 m to £184.4m in 2002, reflecting higher television and sponsorship income.