FA chief executive Mark Palios resigns

FA chief executive Mark Palios has resigned, saying his exit was "essential" but reaffirmed his innocence of any wrongdoing over his affair with Faria Alam.

Yesterday's resignation comes after days of damaging headlines for English football's governing body. Both Mr Palios and England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson are reported to have had affairs with FA secretary Faria Alam; however, it has been the FA's handling of the issue which has drawn most media criticism, and which ultimately led to Mr Palios' resignation.

The News Of The World alleged yesterday that the FA's communications director, Colin Gibson, offered to release details surrounding Eriksson's relationship with Ms Alam if the paper agreed to hush up Palios' role. Mr Gibson has offered to quit over the controversy, it has been reported today.

Mr Palios contacted the FA chairman, Geoff Thompson, at 6pm last night informing him of his decision – bringing his 13-month reign to an end.

In a statement released last night, the 51-year-old FA chief said he was "very sad" to be leaving but it was necessary for him to do so.

He said: "It has been a privilege to be Chief Executive of The FA, but with privilege comes the burden of responsibility. And it has been important for me to take ultimate responsibility for everything The FA has done in good times and bad.

"Personally, I do not accept that I have been guilty of any wrongdoing. But it has become clear to me that my action tonight is essential to enable The Football Association to begin to return to normality," he said.

Eriksson's job appears to be safe after the acting FA Chief Executive, David Davies, gave him his backing in a statement released this morning.

"Sven is one of the outstanding coaches in the world - that is why so many people want to hire him. That is why this club and that club or any country seeks his services," he said.

"It is right to say he wants to be coach of the senior England team. He has a consistent track record wherever he has worked and he is popular and highly respected by the players."

He added: "This is a time for us to rally the staff and rally people around. Football is more important than anything.''

Mr Davies said that the organisation had a "responsibility to sort out these problems and come through this period", and pledged to "deal with the problems'' facing association. The FA has set up an investigation into the issue.

(gmcg)