News
Trainee and ex-pro footballer on FA disciplinary panel
- 04th November 2009
Ex-pro footballer Colin Murdock, now a trainee solicitor, has been appointed to sit on the Football Association's Disciplinary Panel. Murdock, a trainee at Manchester firm George Davies, played for 17 years for Manchester United, Preston North End, Northern Ireland and Accrington Stanley.
He will take part in FA panel hearings involving on a wide range of both on-field and off-field matters. Recent subjects of the panel include Sir Alex Ferguson after he made remarks about the fitness of referee Alan Wiley and Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor for his goal celebration against former side Arsenal.
The FA’s 14-strong panel works on a rota basis. Murdock has just taken part in his first panel hearing where Nottingham Forest and Derby County were charged with failure to control their players after their fixture at the end of August.
He said: “This appointment means that I am able to combine my new role as a lawyer with my love and experience of football to help ensure that the English game maintains the respect and integrity that is expected of it.”
“It is hard in football now, especially with so much money flying around, and sometimes players (and managers) do lose their heads a little. I think the panel has evolved to reflect this and the decisions delivered are sensible practical interpretations of the rules.”-
