PMF Board and ABM Executives will meet

by Mark Chang for PMF News

In a further twist to the ongoing ABM saga which has been hanging over the head of PMF since the league first formed, it has now been made clear that the talks will indeed now start in earnest.

The PMF House have however put some stipulations in the initial set-up, and the new ABM board will be overseen by Coventry City chairman, Peter Deepdale.

Deepdale will head the board, which consists of Sigfried Moeri (Newcastle), Tommy McConnell (West Ham), Marcus Larsson (Bradford City), and Jaz Henri (Norwich). Although Deepdale is the recognised chair for the board, he will have to work under the same conditions of the other members, something which may be tricky due to the obvious problems between himself and Moeri.

It is understood that the decision made by the board was due to the issues that they have had with Sigfried Moeri this season, Dr. Olivier Cadin has a long history with Moeri, and is reportedly delighted that the rest of the board have agreed to allow Deepdale to head the ABM.

It is alleged that Cadin was the first to contact Deepdale with the proposal, behind PMF Executive Cory Skiltons back. Skilton was a key player in the formation of the ABM, and has pushed the proposal through as quickly as he has been able to, on the other hand, Cadin was reportedly less keen on the idea. But with Deepdale now heading the group he is more hopeful for the future of the group.

In a short statement, Dr. Olivier Cadin announced the move, "We have spoken to Sigfried Moeri and Peter Deepdale about the ABM, and Mr. Moeri has agreed to our stipulations in allowing Mr. Deepdale to head the board. We are hoping that this is the start of a new understanding between the PMF Board and the managers who are involved in the PMF League."

A number of issues are sure to rise from this new board, and already reports are suggesting that moves to allow loan deals between clubs is topping the list. When asked about the initial talks however, Cadin was keen to push forward the importance of another issue. Cadin stated, "Due to the lifting of the International Players ban, we have had numerous meetings with the Department of Employment on the quality of players within the league, and also the poor youth development which may occur if we are not careful. We (PMF Board) have fought tooth and nail with the DoE so that they do not get involved in the transactions between clubs, however we may be forced to implement a foreign ruling in the very near future."

The foreign ruling which Cadin is urging the ABM to look into, would affect any players born outside of the entire of Europe (not just the EEC), the proposal is reportedly to limit the amount of non-Europeans to just three per match day squad.