Town chairman David Sheepshanks is in Zurich at the inaugural meeting of the FIFA Club Task Force. Town are amongst the UEFA representatives on the Task Force, which was set-up to draw together views on the game from through the various football federations.

Sheepshanks told the club site that being asked on to the committee is a major accolade for Town: "I see this as a great honour for the club, to be recognised in this way.

"While I have previously served on a UEFA committee, I have never had any involvement with FIFA.

"There are so many fundamental issues that are controlled by FIFA and yet affect the daily lives of clubs in this country.

"I hope I can add value to the international debate, as well as to serve the best interests of all club football in England and not just those of our biggest clubs who already have representation on other committees."

Amongst the other UEFA representatives are Barcelona president Joan Laporta, while Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer is there on behalf of his club.

Also present will be US side the New England Revolution, where former Blue Paul Mariner is a coach, and Australian club the Perth Glory, for whom Mich D'Avray is technical director.

The other members of the Club Task Force are River Plate (Argentina), Palmeiras de Sao Paulo (Brazil), Etoile Sportive du Sahel (Tunisia), ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast), Mohan Bagan (India) and Jubilo Iwata (Japan).

Photo: Action Images

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