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FA: England must reach semis by 2012

06/05/2008

Fabio Capello has been told that England must reach the semi-final of the 2010 World Cup or the semi-final of Euro 2012.

The Football Association have outlined their goals for the next four years and stated that England must reach at least the semis in one of the next two tournaments.

Setting out its goals, the FA said: "England's senior men and women's teams qualifying for major competitions and reaching the semi-finals at least, by 2012," was necessary.

England have not reached the semi-final of a major tournament since Euro '96 when they were knocked out of the competition on penalties by Germany at Wembley.

"We want to give England the best-possible chance of winning, and combine it with the success of English clubs," Brian Barwick, the FA's chief executive said.

The FA also wants to successfully bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup as well opening a National Football Centre in Burton by 2010.

One million five to 11 year-olds will be trained through the FA Tesco Skills Programme with 26,000 referees retrained and 8,000 more recruited by 2012.

The FA also said the RESPECT campaign, which encourages respect towards officials, should improve disciplinary performance by 25 per cent by 2012.

"Our strategic vision extends from the grassroots to the elite of English football, like The FA itself. With the co-operation of the 'football family' we can achieve our goals," said Barwick.