The men effectively behind the demise of the FA's chief executive sought to counter critical headlines which have followed the Scot's enforced resignation.

The six professional representatives are Premier League chairman Dave Richards, Arsenal's David Dein, Peter Ridsdale of Leeds, Blackburn's Robert Coar, Leicester's John Elsom and Colchester's Peter Heard.

They dismissed suggestions that financial motives were behind their desire to have a bigger say in the way the game is run.

The statement said: "We have made sensible and rational proposals as to how the game can be best managed going forward.

"We want to ensure that decisions are made using full, detailed information and that all directors of the FA remain wholly accountable.

"We believe, and our colleagues in the national game agree in principle, that it is appropriate to set up a professional game board.

"It will ultimately be accountable to the main FA board, mirroring exactly the way that the national game board discusses issues of particular relevance to them.

"This quest for better governance is the prime motive of the entire board.

"With regard to the emotive subject of finance, we are fully supportive of the FA's current strategic model that shares net income equally between that national and professional game.

"There is absolutely no intention of reducing or threatening the proportion of income that is so vital in sustaining grassroots football in this country."