He said: “We thank Lord Burns for undertaking the Structural Review and welcome his report.

“Today’s final recommendations mark the culmination of a far-reaching and transparent consultation process, during which he has sought the views and opinions of all stakeholders in the game.

“His objectivity and experience in organisational reviews has proved to be invaluable, and he has been extremely thorough in putting together his final report.

“This has been an extremely important process in assessing whether The FA’s structures are effective and representative, allowing it to properly act as football’s governing body in this country.

“It is encouraging that he has been able to find areas of consensus across the game. This is essential if changes are to be brought in for the benefit of The FA and all of English football.

“The proposals are detailed and extensive and The Board has undertaken to review them in detail at a Special Board Meeting in the coming weeks."