Incoming new Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt’s in tray

Debbie Hewitt is set to be confirmed as the Football Association’s new chair next month and is due to take up the position in January 2022.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the key challenges facing the organisation’s first female chair in its history.

Sex abuse inquiry

The Sheldon Review will look at what the FA knew and did about child abusers like Barry Bennell, pictured — The Sheldon Review looked at what the FA knew and did about child abusers like Barry Bennell (PA)

Football’s way forward

Premier League Shareholders agreed to work together as a 20-club collective on a strategic plan for the future structures and financing of English football

Full statement: https://t.co/6hFna1K6tl pic.twitter.com/mZwwe0pxcG

— Premier League (@premierleague) October 14, 2020

The Premier League’s strategic review, which stepped up in pace after the rejection of the controversial Project Big Picture plans last October, is ongoing and is set to consider issues such as the size of the league, the future of cup competitions and the revenue distribution model in the game. Hewitt’s predecessor Greg Clarke was heavily involved in the initial PBP discussions and while the Premier League is leading the review, the FA and the EFL are still being consulted. The FA is also conducting its own inquiry into the failed Super League launch in April and working with the Government on updating competition laws to protect sport from similar breakaways in the future. A fan-led review commissioned by the Government will also consider whether the existing governing bodies are fit for purpose and whether an independent regulator is needed.

World Cup 2030

FIFA will decide on the hosts of the 2030 World Cup in 2024 (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Southgate’s successor

Gareth Southgate is in contract until the end of the 2022 World Cup (Nick Potts/PA)

Ensuring diversity, tackling discrimination

Greg Clarke resigned after a disastrous appearance before MPs last November (PA)

Head injuries

The FA’s Head of Medicine, Dr Charlotte Cowie, has provided an update on the new findings of the FIELD study: https://t.co/ZssuIIQqML. pic.twitter.com/v0D2y16O9y

— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) July 22, 2020

The FA is preparing to fund further research into what causes the link between a career in football and an increased risk of death due to neurodegenerative disorders, while also working on guidelines around heading in training and trialling permanent concussion substitutes. Hewitt will also be keenly aware that legal actions are being considered on behalf of the families of footballers suffering from dementia. In a similar action already launched in rugby union, the governing bodies of England and Wales were served with a letter of claim.